By understanding how to learn about SGML you’ll be able to understand a lot more about information standards and keeping your information organized and structured.
What The Heck Is It?
SGML is an acronym for ‘Standard Generalized Markup Language’ (no, it doesn’t mean ‘Show Granny More Love’) and is a language which is used to define the other languages and information standards which show the document structure used. Many businesses use SGML in order to create, manage and store relevant information in an organized, structured fashion.
To put it simply, SGML provides a method of marking up documents which are to be shared by computers and humans. Whilst the SGML markup might look strange to humans, it is not difficult to read, and computers can read it easily. The structure of the document becomes apparent to the computer when reading SGML, and the computer can then ‘read’ the documents and set them out, just as the human intended.
Did you ever try to read a paragraph with no punctuation, no word spacing, no headings or capital letters?
homecomputersystemthisstateoftheartcomputersystemisabargainat595itistheonlyoneleftintheshopsoifyourereadytotakeadvantagecomeondownnowdontwaitoritwillbetoolatefreeinternetforawholeyear
It’s not easy is it? I had trouble and I wrote it! Well, SGML in effect shows the computer exactly what you wanted to say, and how you want it to be displayed.
Home Computer System
This State of the Art Computer System is a
BARGAIN AT
$595
It’s the only one left in the shop
So
If you’re ready to take advantage
COME ON DOWN
Don’t Wait, or it will be Too Late!
FREE INTERNET FOR A WHOLE YEAR
How to Learn about SGML
If you’re wondering the best way to learn about SGML, well there’s plenty of CD’s and books out there which will tell you all you need to know. As said before, it’s not difficult to read for humans (even simple humans), so you can simply read plenty of it and get to know the basics.
Why to Learn about SGML
By using SGML, for example, a notepad, databases, rendering engines, typesetting engines, they can all work simultaneously for one single document source. That’s the exact reason that SGML was designed. All documents are valid, and anyone (including computer programs) can read SGML easily. SGML was designed to be simple so that even the simplest computers (and humans) can understand it easily. You don’t have to be a geek to understand how to learn about SGML or the Internet.