Overview
ISO/IEC TR 19758:2003/Amd 1:2005 is an amendment to the established ISO standard for information technology concerning document description and processing languages, specifically focusing on the DSSSL (Document Style Semantics and Specification Language) library for complex compositions. This amendment introduces important extensions to the standard, addressing enhancements to basic composition styles and table functionalities. By incorporating these developments, the standard supports improved methods for laying out documents, supporting more flexible and detailed table designs and page composition techniques.
Key Topics
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Graphical Method for Page Composition
The amendment introduces a graphical composition method using the Unwin module concept, which allows content-driven page layout based on graphical margin specifications. This method:
- Defines all four page margins graphically.
- Supports precise specification of starting points and floating line direction using calculated values based on line count, line spacing, and character size.
- Encourages efficient data input by focusing on gutter margin and font size, streamlining the specification process for DSSSL-powered compositions.
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Table Specification Enhancements
Several extensions enhance table features for better document structure and aesthetics:
- Rounded Corner Tables: Table element specifications now allow for rounded corners, with radius being adjustable for visual impact.
- Table Header Columns and Rows: Specific definitions enable clear distinction and styling of header rows and columns, including customizable background color.
- Multiple Strings in Table Cells: The structure permits cells to contain both row and column strings, enhancing representation of complex tabular data.
- Diagonal Lines Through Tables: Support is added for drawing diagonal lines through square tables, ideal for applications like league standings.
- Word Wrapping and Font Reduction: Automatic font size reduction or word wrapping is controlled via new attributes, ensuring content fits within cell boundaries.
Applications
The extensions provided in this amendment address the needs of organizations and developers working with structured document formats that require advanced page and table composition capabilities. Common use cases include:
- Technical Documentation: Creation of highly formatted manuals, standards documents, and handbooks that require precise control over page layout and tables.
- Automated Publishing Workflows: Integration within publishing systems that generate documents from XML or SGML sources, leveraging DSSSL for style and format consistency.
- Complex Tabular Reports: Rendering of financial, statistical, or scientific reports where advanced table structures (e.g., multi-string cells, diagonal cell division) are essential for clarity and data presentation.
- Internationalized Content Design: Accommodates various formatting needs for different languages and scripts, thanks to flexible margin and table style options.
Related Standards
Organizations implementing ISO/IEC TR 19758:2003/Amd 1:2005 may find the following standards relevant:
- ISO/IEC TR 19758:2003 - The original technical report outlining comprehensive DSSSL library functions for complex document composition.
- ISO/IEC 10179:1996 - The core specification for DSSSL, foundational for structured document styling and transformation.
- ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 34 Standards - A suite of related standards on document description and processing languages, supporting advanced publishing and information management requirements.
By adhering to these international standards, users ensure greater interoperability, consistency, and quality in document processing and automated publishing environments, particularly when handling structured documents with complex composition and tabular requirements.