Overview
ISO/IEC TR 9573:1988 is a Technical Report that complements ISO 8879 (SGML) by providing tutorial guidance and practical techniques for using the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). It is a type‑3 technical report offering examples, document‑analysis methods, and sample Document Type Definitions (DTDs) to help implement SGML for publishing, interchange, and advanced document processing. ISO/IEC TR 9573 is explicitly supplementary to ISO 8879 and does not change or interpret the core standard.
Key topics
- Document analysis and DTD design - step‑by‑step guidance on analyzing document classes, identifying elements and attributes, and defining hierarchical structures for robust DTDs.
- Markup techniques - practical notes on markup minimization, element and attribute declarations, parameter entities, and commentary on DTD construction.
- Examples and user‑guide style sections - detailed examples for a general document type (matching clause E.1 of ISO 8879), with user‑oriented subclauses (notably 5.3 and 8.4).
- Application‑specific DTDs - worked examples for letters and memoranda, spreadsheets, mathematical formulae, tables, and integration of computer‑graphics metafiles.
- Multilingual and typography support - guidance for Japanese (horizontal/vertical typesetting), Scandinavian runes, European multilingual documents, and mixing left‑to‑right with right‑to‑left scripts.
- Short references, entity sets, and character encoding - use of short references, entities, and cross‑references to coded character sets (references include ISO 2022, ISO 8859, ISO 8632).
- Scope limits - explicit exclusion of advanced SGML features such as LINK, CONCUR, and DATATAG from tutorial coverage.
Applications
ISO/IEC TR 9573 is practical for:
- Designing reusable and maintainable DTDs for publishing, technical documentation, and archival interchange.
- Preparing documents for multi‑channel publishing (print, microfiche, CD‑ROM, electronic interchange).
- Structuring content for searchable databases, content management systems, and automated repurposing (abstracts, indexes, secondary publications).
- Handling complex content: tables, mathematical notation, spreadsheets, graphics integration, and multilingual typesetting (including bi‑directional text).
Who should use it
- Document type designers and DTD authors looking for pragmatic SGML techniques.
- Technical writers, publishers, and localization teams implementing SGML workflows.
- Software vendors and implementers of SGML editors, converters, and content management tools.
- Standards teams seeking examples that complement ISO 8879.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 9573:1988, SGML, DTD, document analysis, markup, multilingual documents, tables, mathematics, spreadsheets, graphics metafile.