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Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001\documentclass{howto}
2\usepackage{ltxmarkup}
3
4\title{Documenting Python}
5
Skip Montanaro176bda4cd2002-04-19 04:50:44 +00006\makeindex
7
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00008\input{boilerplate}
9
Fred Drakec7c9a641999-04-28 18:24:02 +000010% Now override the stuff that includes author information;
11% Guido did *not* write this one!
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000012
13\author{Fred L. Drake, Jr.}
14\authoraddress{
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +000015 PythonLabs \\
16 Email: \email{fdrake@acm.org}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000017}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000018
19
20\begin{document}
21
22\maketitle
23
24\begin{abstract}
25\noindent
Fred Drake02997492000-09-21 05:26:43 +000026The Python language has a substantial body of
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000027documentation, much of it contributed by various authors. The markup
28used for the Python documentation is based on \LaTeX{} and requires a
29significant set of macros written specifically for documenting Python.
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +000030This document describes the macros introduced to support Python
31documentation and how they should be used to support a wide range of
32output formats.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000033
34This document describes the document classes and special markup used
35in the Python documentation. Authors may use this guide, in
36conjunction with the template files provided with the
37distribution, to create or maintain whole documents or sections.
38\end{abstract}
39
40\tableofcontents
41
42
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +000043\section{Introduction \label{intro}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000044
45 Python's documentation has long been considered to be good for a
46 free programming language. There are a number of reasons for this,
47 the most important being the early commitment of Python's creator,
48 Guido van Rossum, to providing documentation on the language and its
49 libraries, and the continuing involvement of the user community in
50 providing assistance for creating and maintaining documentation.
51
52 The involvement of the community takes many forms, from authoring to
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +000053 bug reports to just plain complaining when the documentation could
54 be more complete or easier to use. All of these forms of input from
55 the community have proved useful during the time I've been involved
56 in maintaining the documentation.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000057
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +000058 This document is aimed at authors and potential authors of
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +000059 documentation for Python. More specifically, it is for people
60 contributing to the standard documentation and developing additional
61 documents using the same tools as the standard documents. This
62 guide will be less useful for authors using the Python documentation
63 tools for topics other than Python, and less useful still for
64 authors not using the tools at all.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000065
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +000066 The material in this guide is intended to assist authors using the
67 Python documentation tools. It includes information on the source
68 distribution of the standard documentation, a discussion of the
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +000069 document types, reference material on the markup defined in the
70 document classes, a list of the external tools needed for processing
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +000071 documents, and reference material on the tools provided with the
72 documentation resources. At the end, there is also a section
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +000073 discussing future directions for the Python documentation and where
74 to turn for more information.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000075
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +000076\section{Directory Structure \label{directories}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000077
78 The source distribution for the standard Python documentation
79 contains a large number of directories. While third-party documents
80 do not need to be placed into this structure or need to be placed
81 within a similar structure, it can be helpful to know where to look
82 for examples and tools when developing new documents using the
83 Python documentation tools. This section describes this directory
84 structure.
85
86 The documentation sources are usually placed within the Python
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +000087 source distribution as the top-level directory \file{Doc/}, but
88 are not dependent on the Python source distribution in any way.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +000089
90 The \file{Doc/} directory contains a few files and several
91 subdirectories. The files are mostly self-explanatory, including a
92 \file{README} and a \file{Makefile}. The directories fall into
93 three categories:
94
95 \begin{definitions}
96 \term{Document Sources}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +000097 The \LaTeX{} sources for each document are placed in a
98 separate directory. These directories are given short
99 names which vaguely indicate the document in each:
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000100
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000101 \begin{tableii}{p{.75in}|p{3in}}{filenq}{Directory}{Document Title}
102 \lineii{api/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000103 {\citetitle[../api/api.html]{The Python/C API}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000104 \lineii{dist/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000105 {\citetitle[../dist/dist.html]{Distributing Python Modules}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000106 \lineii{doc/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000107 {\citetitle[../doc/doc.html]{Documenting Python}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000108 \lineii{ext/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000109 {\citetitle[../ext/ext.html]{Extending and Embedding the Python Interpreter}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000110 \lineii{inst/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000111 {\citetitle[../inst/inst.html]{Installing Python Modules}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000112 \lineii{lib/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000113 {\citetitle[../lib/lib.html]{Python Library Reference}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000114 \lineii{mac/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000115 {\citetitle[../mac/mac.html]{Macintosh Module Reference}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000116 \lineii{ref/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000117 {\citetitle[../ref/ref.html]{Python Reference Manual}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000118 \lineii{tut/}
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000119 {\citetitle[../tut/tut.html]{Python Tutorial}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000120 \end{tableii}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000121
122 \term{Format-Specific Output}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000123 Most output formats have a directory which contains a
124 \file{Makefile} which controls the generation of that format
125 and provides storage for the formatted documents. The only
126 variations within this category are the Portable Document
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +0000127 Format (PDF) and PostScript versions are placed in the
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000128 directories \file{paper-a4/} and \file{paper-letter/} (this
129 causes all the temporary files created by \LaTeX{} to be kept
130 in the same place for each paper size, where they can be more
131 easily ignored).
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000132
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000133 \begin{tableii}{p{.75in}|p{3in}}{filenq}{Directory}{Output Formats}
134 \lineii{html/}{HTML output}
135 \lineii{info/}{GNU info output}
136 \lineii{isilo/}{\ulink{iSilo}{http://www.isilo.com/}
137 documents (for Palm OS devices)}
138 \lineii{paper-a4/}{PDF and PostScript, A4 paper}
139 \lineii{paper-letter/}{PDF and PostScript, US-Letter paper}
140 \end{tableii}
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000141
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000142 \term{Supplemental Files}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000143 Some additional directories are used to store supplemental
144 files used for the various processes. Directories are
145 included for the shared \LaTeX{} document classes, the
146 \LaTeX2HTML support, template files for various document
147 components, and the scripts used to perform various steps in
148 the formatting processes.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000149
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000150 \begin{tableii}{p{.75in}|p{3in}}{filenq}{Directory}{Contents}
Fred Drake2bc9b2f2003-09-27 07:18:52 +0000151 \lineii{commontex/}{Document content shared among documents}
152 \lineii{perl/} {Support for \LaTeX2HTML processing}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000153 \lineii{templates/}{Example files for source documents}
154 \lineii{texinputs/}{Style implementation for \LaTeX}
Fred Drake2bc9b2f2003-09-27 07:18:52 +0000155 \lineii{tools/} {Custom processing scripts}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000156 \end{tableii}
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000157
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000158 \end{definitions}
159
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +0000160
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +0000161\section{Style Guide \label{style-guide}}
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000162
163 The Python documentation should follow the \citetitle
Fred Drake192b95b2003-07-11 03:34:17 +0000164 [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/APStyleGuide/AppleStyleGuide2003.pdf]
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000165 {Apple Publications Style Guide} wherever possible. This particular
166 style guide was selected mostly because it seems reasonable and is
Fred Drake192b95b2003-07-11 03:34:17 +0000167 easy to get online.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000168
169 Topics which are not covered in the Apple's style guide will be
170 discussed in this document if necessary.
171
172 Many special names are used in the Python documentation, including
173 the names of operating systems, programming languages, standards
174 bodies, and the like. Many of these were assigned \LaTeX{} macros
175 at some point in the distant past, and these macros lived on long
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +0000176 past their usefulness. In the current markup, most of these entities
177 are not assigned any special markup, but the preferred spellings are
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000178 given here to aid authors in maintaining the consistency of
179 presentation in the Python documentation.
180
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +0000181 Other terms and words deserve special mention as well; these conventions
182 should be used to ensure consistency throughout the documentation:
183
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000184 \begin{description}
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +0000185 \item[CPU]
186 For ``central processing unit.'' Many style guides say this
187 should be spelled out on the first use (and if you must use it,
188 do so!). For the Python documentation, this abbreviation should
189 be avoided since there's no reasonable way to predict which occurance
190 will be the first seen by the reader. It is better to use the
191 word ``processor'' instead.
192
193 \item[\POSIX]
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000194 The name assigned to a particular group of standards. This is
195 always uppercase. Use the macro \macro{POSIX} to represent this
196 name.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000197
198 \item[Python]
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000199 The name of our favorite programming language is always
200 capitalized.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000201
202 \item[Unicode]
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000203 The name of a character set and matching encoding. This is
204 always written capitalized.
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +0000205
206 \item[\UNIX]
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000207 The name of the operating system developed at AT\&T Bell Labs
208 in the early 1970s. Use the macro \macro{UNIX} to use this
209 name.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000210 \end{description}
211
212
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000213\section{\LaTeX{} Primer \label{latex-primer}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +0000214
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000215 This section is a brief introduction to \LaTeX{} concepts and
216 syntax, to provide authors enough information to author documents
217 productively without having to become ``\TeX{}nicians.''
218
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000219 Perhaps the most important concept to keep in mind while marking up
Fred Drake02997492000-09-21 05:26:43 +0000220 Python documentation is that while \TeX{} is unstructured, \LaTeX{} was
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000221 designed as a layer on top of \TeX{} which specifically supports
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000222 structured markup. The Python-specific markup is intended to extend
223 the structure provided by standard \LaTeX{} document classes to
224 support additional information specific to Python.
225
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000226 \LaTeX{} documents contain two parts: the preamble and the body.
227 The preamble is used to specify certain metadata about the document
228 itself, such as the title, the list of authors, the date, and the
229 \emph{class} the document belongs to. Additional information used
230 to control index generation and the use of bibliographic databases
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +0000231 can also be placed in the preamble. For most authors, the preamble
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000232 can be most easily created by copying it from an existing document
233 and modifying a few key pieces of information.
234
235 The \dfn{class} of a document is used to place a document within a
236 broad category of documents and set some fundamental formatting
237 properties. For Python documentation, two classes are used: the
238 \code{manual} class and the \code{howto} class. These classes also
239 define the additional markup used to document Python concepts and
240 structures. Specific information about these classes is provided in
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +0000241 section \ref{classes}, ``Document Classes,'' below. The first thing
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000242 in the preamble is the declaration of the document's class.
243
244 After the class declaration, a number of \emph{macros} are used to
245 provide further information about the document and setup any
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +0000246 additional markup that is needed. No output is generated from the
247 preamble; it is an error to include free text in the preamble
248 because it would cause output.
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000249
250 The document body follows the preamble. This contains all the
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000251 printed components of the document marked up structurally. Generic
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000252 \LaTeX{} structures include hierarchical sections, numbered and
253 bulleted lists, and special structures for the document abstract and
254 indexes.
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000255
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +0000256 \subsection{Syntax \label{latex-syntax}}
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000257
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000258 There are some things that an author of Python documentation needs
259 to know about \LaTeX{} syntax.
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000260
261 A \dfn{comment} is started by the ``percent'' character
262 (\character{\%}) and continues through the end of the line and all
263 leading whitespace on the following line. This is a little
264 different from any programming language I know of, so an example
265 is in order:
266
267\begin{verbatim}
268This is text.% comment
269 This is more text. % another comment
270Still more text.
271\end{verbatim}
272
273 The first non-comment character following the first comment is the
274 letter \character{T} on the second line; the leading whitespace on
275 that line is consumed as part of the first comment. This means
276 that there is no space between the first and second sentences, so
277 the period and letter \character{T} will be directly adjacent in
278 the typeset document.
279
280 Note also that though the first non-comment character after the
281 second comment is the letter \character{S}, there is whitespace
282 preceding the comment, so the two sentences are separated as
283 expected.
284
285 A \dfn{group} is an enclosure for a collection of text and
286 commands which encloses the formatting context and constrains the
287 scope of any changes to that context made by commands within the
288 group. Groups can be nested hierarchically. The formatting
289 context includes the font and the definition of additional macros
290 (or overrides of macros defined in outer groups). Syntactically,
291 groups are enclosed in braces:
292
293\begin{verbatim}
294{text in a group}
295\end{verbatim}
296
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000297 An alternate syntax for a group using brackets, \code{[...]}, is
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000298 used by macros and environment constructors which take optional
299 parameters; brackets do not normally hold syntactic significance.
300 A degenerate group, containing only one atomic bit of content,
301 does not need to have an explicit group, unless it is required to
302 avoid ambiguity. Since Python tends toward the explicit, groups
303 are also made explicit in the documentation markup.
304
305 Groups are used only sparingly in the Python documentation, except
306 for their use in marking parameters to macros and environments.
307
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000308 A \dfn{macro} is usually a simple construct which is identified by
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000309 name and can take some number of parameters. In normal \LaTeX{}
310 usage, one of these can be optional. The markup is introduced
311 using the backslash character (\character{\e}), and the name is
312 given by alphabetic characters (no digits, hyphens, or
313 underscores). Required parameters should be marked as a group,
314 and optional parameters should be marked using the alternate
315 syntax for a group.
316
317 For example, a macro named ``foo'' which takes a single parameter
318 would appear like this:
319
320\begin{verbatim}
321\name{parameter}
322\end{verbatim}
323
324 A macro which takes an optional parameter would be typed like this
325 when the optional paramter is given:
326
327\begin{verbatim}
328\name[optional]
329\end{verbatim}
330
331 If both optional and required parameters are to be required, it
332 looks like this:
333
334\begin{verbatim}
335\name[optional]{required}
336\end{verbatim}
337
338 A macro name may be followed by a space or newline; a space
339 between the macro name and any parameters will be consumed, but
340 this usage is not practiced in the Python documentation. Such a
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000341 space is still consumed if there are no parameters to the macro,
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000342 in which case inserting an empty group (\code{\{\}}) or explicit
343 word space (\samp{\e\ }) immediately after the macro name helps to
344 avoid running the expansion of the macro into the following text.
345 Macros which take no parameters but which should not be followed
346 by a word space do not need special treatment if the following
347 character in the document source if not a name character (such as
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000348 punctuation).
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000349
350 Each line of this example shows an appropriate way to write text
351 which includes a macro which takes no parameters:
352
353\begin{verbatim}
354This \UNIX{} is followed by a space.
355This \UNIX\ is also followed by a space.
356\UNIX, followed by a comma, needs no additional markup.
357\end{verbatim}
358
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000359 An \dfn{environment} is a larger construct than a macro, and can
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000360 be used for things with more content than would conveniently fit
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000361 in a macro parameter. They are primarily used when formatting
362 parameters need to be changed before and after a large chunk of
363 content, but the content itself needs to be highly flexible. Code
364 samples are presented using an environment, and descriptions of
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000365 functions, methods, and classes are also marked using environments.
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000366
367 Since the content of an environment is free-form and can consist
368 of several paragraphs, they are actually marked using a pair of
369 macros: \macro{begin} and \macro{end}. These macros both take the
370 name of the environment as a parameter. An example is the
371 environment used to mark the abstract of a document:
372
373\begin{verbatim}
374\begin{abstract}
375 This is the text of the abstract. It concisely explains what
376 information is found in the document.
377
378 It can consist of multiple paragraphs.
379\end{abstract}
380\end{verbatim}
381
382 An environment can also have required and optional parameters of
383 its own. These follow the parameter of the \macro{begin} macro.
384 This example shows an environment which takes a single required
385 parameter:
386
387\begin{verbatim}
Fred Drake2bbc6972001-03-28 16:51:20 +0000388\begin{datadesc}{controlnames}
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000389 A 33-element string array that contains the \ASCII{} mnemonics for
390 the thirty-two \ASCII{} control characters from 0 (NUL) to 0x1f
391 (US), in order, plus the mnemonic \samp{SP} for the space character.
392\end{datadesc}
393\end{verbatim}
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000394
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000395 There are a number of less-used marks in \LaTeX{} which are used
Fred Drakee789ea12002-03-13 02:48:24 +0000396 to enter characters which are not found in \ASCII{} or which a
397 considered special, or \emph{active} in \TeX{} or \LaTeX. Given
398 that these are often used adjacent to other characters, the markup
399 required to produce the proper character may need to be followed
400 by a space or an empty group, or the markup can be enclosed in a
401 group. Some which are found in Python documentation are:
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000402
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000403\begin{tableii}{c|l}{textrm}{Character}{Markup}
Fred Drakee789ea12002-03-13 02:48:24 +0000404 \lineii{\textasciicircum}{\code{\e textasciicircum}}
405 \lineii{\textasciitilde}{\code{\e textasciitilde}}
406 \lineii{\textgreater}{\code{\e textgreater}}
407 \lineii{\textless}{\code{\e textless}}
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000408 \lineii{\c c}{\code{\e c c}}
409 \lineii{\"o}{\code{\e"o}}
410 \lineii{\o}{\code{\e o}}
411\end{tableii}
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000412
413
Skip Montanaro176bda4cd2002-04-19 04:50:44 +0000414 \subsection{Hierarchical Structure \label{latex-structure}}
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000415
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000416 \LaTeX{} expects documents to be arranged in a conventional,
417 hierarchical way, with chapters, sections, sub-sections,
418 appendixes, and the like. These are marked using macros rather
419 than environments, probably because the end of a section can be
420 safely inferred when a section of equal or higher level starts.
421
422 There are six ``levels'' of sectioning in the document classes
Fred Drake4c6f17a2001-04-18 05:12:47 +0000423 used for Python documentation, and the deepest two
424 levels\footnote{The deepest levels have the highest numbers in the
425 table.} are not used. The levels are:
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000426
427 \begin{tableiii}{c|l|c}{textrm}{Level}{Macro Name}{Notes}
428 \lineiii{1}{\macro{chapter}}{(1)}
429 \lineiii{2}{\macro{section}}{}
430 \lineiii{3}{\macro{subsection}}{}
Fred Drakeb7a52c92000-11-27 20:10:18 +0000431 \lineiii{4}{\macro{subsubsection}}{}
Fred Draked097d482000-10-20 20:51:31 +0000432 \lineiii{5}{\macro{paragraph}}{(2)}
433 \lineiii{6}{\macro{subparagraph}}{}
434 \end{tableiii}
435
436 \noindent
437 Notes:
438
439 \begin{description}
440 \item[(1)]
441 Only used for the \code{manual} documents, as described in
442 section \ref{classes}, ``Document Classes.''
443 \item[(2)]
444 Not the same as a paragraph of text; nobody seems to use this.
445 \end{description}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +0000446
447
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000448\section{Document Classes \label{classes}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000449
450 Two \LaTeX{} document classes are defined specifically for use with
451 the Python documentation. The \code{manual} class is for large
452 documents which are sectioned into chapters, and the \code{howto}
453 class is for smaller documents.
454
455 The \code{manual} documents are larger and are used for most of the
456 standard documents. This document class is based on the standard
457 \LaTeX{} \code{report} class and is formatted very much like a long
Fred Drake698d5201999-11-10 15:54:57 +0000458 technical report. The \citetitle[../ref/ref.html]{Python Reference
459 Manual} is a good example of a \code{manual} document, and the
460 \citetitle[../lib/lib.html]{Python Library Reference} is a large
461 example.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000462
463 The \code{howto} documents are shorter, and don't have the large
464 structure of the \code{manual} documents. This class is based on
465 the standard \LaTeX{} \code{article} class and is formatted somewhat
466 like the Linux Documentation Project's ``HOWTO'' series as done
467 originally using the LinuxDoc software. The original intent for the
468 document class was that it serve a similar role as the LDP's HOWTO
469 series, but the applicability of the class turns out to be somewhat
Fred Drake02997492000-09-21 05:26:43 +0000470 broader. This class is used for ``how-to'' documents (this
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000471 document is an example) and for shorter reference manuals for small,
472 fairly cohesive module libraries. Examples of the later use include
Fred Drake6a547c72000-09-15 22:11:24 +0000473\citetitle[http://starship.python.net/crew/fdrake/manuals/krb5py/krb5py.html]{Using
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000474 Kerberos from Python}, which contains reference material for an
475 extension package. These documents are roughly equivalent to a
476 single chapter from a larger work.
477
478
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +0000479\section{Special Markup Constructs \label{special-constructs}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000480
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +0000481 The Python document classes define a lot of new environments and
482 macros. This section contains the reference material for these
483 facilities.
484
Fred Drakeaf2b7142000-09-14 20:11:05 +0000485 \subsection{Markup for the Preamble \label{preamble-info}}
486
487 \begin{macrodesc}{release}{\p{ver}}
488 Set the version number for the software described in the
489 document.
490 \end{macrodesc}
491
492 \begin{macrodesc}{setshortversion}{\p{sver}}
493 Specify the ``short'' version number of the documented software
494 to be \var{sver}.
495 \end{macrodesc}
496
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +0000497 \subsection{Meta-information Markup \label{meta-info}}
498
499 \begin{macrodesc}{sectionauthor}{\p{author}\p{email}}
500 Identifies the author of the current section. \var{author}
501 should be the author's name such that it can be used for
502 presentation (though it isn't), and \var{email} should be the
503 author's email address. The domain name portion of
504 the address should be lower case.
505
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000506 No presentation is generated from this markup, but it is used to
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +0000507 help keep track of contributions.
508 \end{macrodesc}
509
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000510 \subsection{Information Units \label{info-units}}
511
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000512 XXX Explain terminology, or come up with something more ``lay.''
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000513
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000514 There are a number of environments used to describe specific
515 features provided by modules. Each environment requires
516 parameters needed to provide basic information about what is being
517 described, and the environment content should be the description.
518 Most of these environments make entries in the general index (if
519 one is being produced for the document); if no index entry is
520 desired, non-indexing variants are available for many of these
521 environments. The environments have names of the form
522 \code{\var{feature}desc}, and the non-indexing variants are named
523 \code{\var{feature}descni}. The available variants are explicitly
524 included in the list below.
525
526 For each of these environments, the first parameter, \var{name},
527 provides the name by which the feature is accessed.
528
529 Environments which describe features of objects within a module,
530 such as object methods or data attributes, allow an optional
531 \var{type name} parameter. When the feature is an attribute of
532 class instances, \var{type name} only needs to be given if the
533 class was not the most recently described class in the module; the
534 \var{name} value from the most recent \env{classdesc} is implied.
535 For features of built-in or extension types, the \var{type name}
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +0000536 value should always be provided. Another special case includes
537 methods and members of general ``protocols,'' such as the
538 formatter and writer protocols described for the
539 \module{formatter} module: these may be documented without any
540 specific implementation classes, and will always require the
541 \var{type name} parameter to be provided.
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000542
Fred Drake7be440d2000-09-16 21:23:25 +0000543 \begin{envdesc}{cfuncdesc}{\p{type}\p{name}\p{args}}
544 Environment used to described a C function. The \var{type}
545 should be specified as a \keyword{typedef} name, \code{struct
546 \var{tag}}, or the name of a primitive type. If it is a pointer
Fred Drake02997492000-09-21 05:26:43 +0000547 type, the trailing asterisk should not be preceded by a space.
Fred Drake7be440d2000-09-16 21:23:25 +0000548 \var{name} should be the name of the function (or function-like
549 pre-processor macro), and \var{args} should give the types and
550 names of the parameters. The names need to be given so they may
551 be used in the description.
552 \end{envdesc}
553
Fred Drake1251b0e2002-04-15 20:10:23 +0000554 \begin{envdesc}{cmemberdesc}{\p{container}\p{type}\p{name}}
555 Description for a structure member. \var{container} should be
556 the \keyword{typedef} name, if there is one, otherwise if should
557 be \samp{struct \var{tag}}. The type of the member should given
558 as \var{type}, and the name should be given as \var{name}. The
559 text of the description should include the range of values
560 allowed, how the value should be interpreted, and whether the
561 value can be changed. References to structure members in text
562 should use the \macro{member} macro.
563 \end{envdesc}
564
Fred Drake79bf99c2002-04-09 20:17:42 +0000565 \begin{envdesc}{csimplemacrodesc}{\p{name}}
566 Documentation for a ``simple'' macro. Simple macros are macros
567 which are used for code expansion, but which do not take
568 arguments so cannot be described as functions. This is not to
569 be used for simple constant definitions. Examples of it's use
570 in the Python documentation include
571 \csimplemacro{PyObject_HEAD} and
572 \csimplemacro{Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS}.
573 \end{envdesc}
574
Fred Drake7be440d2000-09-16 21:23:25 +0000575 \begin{envdesc}{ctypedesc}{\op{tag}\p{name}}
576 Environment used to described a C type. The \var{name}
577 parameter should be the \keyword{typedef} name. If the type is
578 defined as a \keyword{struct} without a \keyword{typedef},
579 \var{name} should have the form \code{struct \var{tag}}.
580 \var{name} will be added to the index unless \var{tag} is
581 provided, in which case \var{tag} will be used instead.
582 \var{tag} should not be used for a \keyword{typedef} name.
583 \end{envdesc}
584
585 \begin{envdesc}{cvardesc}{\p{type}\p{name}}
586 Description of a global C variable. \var{type} should be the
587 \keyword{typedef} name, \code{struct \var{tag}}, or the name of
588 a primitive type. If variable has a pointer type, the trailing
Fred Drake02997492000-09-21 05:26:43 +0000589 asterisk should \emph{not} be preceded by a space.
Fred Drake7be440d2000-09-16 21:23:25 +0000590 \end{envdesc}
591
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000592 \begin{envdesc}{datadesc}{\p{name}}
593 This environment is used to document global data in a module,
594 including both variables and values used as ``defined
595 constants.'' Class and object attributes are not documented
596 using this environment.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000597 \end{envdesc}
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +0000598 \begin{envdesc}{datadescni}{\p{name}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000599 Like \env{datadesc}, but without creating any index entries.
600 \end{envdesc}
601
Fred Drake9f2376d2001-05-11 01:01:12 +0000602 \begin{envdesc}{excclassdesc}{\p{name}\p{constructor parameters}}
603 Descibe an exception defined by a class. \var{constructor
604 parameters} should not include the \var{self} parameter or
605 the parentheses used in the call syntax. To describe an
606 exception class without describing the parameters to its
607 constructor, use the \env{excdesc} environment.
608 \end{envdesc}
609
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000610 \begin{envdesc}{excdesc}{\p{name}}
Neal Norwitz847207a2003-05-29 02:17:23 +0000611 Describe an exception. In the case of class exceptions, the
Fred Drake9f2376d2001-05-11 01:01:12 +0000612 constructor parameters are not described; use \env{excclassdesc}
613 to describe an exception class and its constructor.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000614 \end{envdesc}
615
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000616 \begin{envdesc}{funcdesc}{\p{name}\p{parameters}}
617 Describe a module-level function. \var{parameters} should
618 not include the parentheses used in the call syntax. Object
619 methods are not documented using this environment. Bound object
620 methods placed in the module namespace as part of the public
621 interface of the module are documented using this, as they are
622 equivalent to normal functions for most purposes.
623
624 The description should include information about the parameters
625 required and how they are used (especially whether mutable
626 objects passed as parameters are modified), side effects, and
627 possible exceptions. A small example may be provided.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000628 \end{envdesc}
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000629 \begin{envdesc}{funcdescni}{\p{name}\p{parameters}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000630 Like \env{funcdesc}, but without creating any index entries.
631 \end{envdesc}
632
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000633 \begin{envdesc}{classdesc}{\p{name}\p{constructor parameters}}
634 Describe a class and its constructor. \var{constructor
635 parameters} should not include the \var{self} parameter or
636 the parentheses used in the call syntax.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000637 \end{envdesc}
638
Fred Drake9f2376d2001-05-11 01:01:12 +0000639 \begin{envdesc}{classdesc*}{\p{name}}
640 Describe a class without describing the constructor. This can
641 be used to describe classes that are merely containers for
642 attributes or which should never be instantiated or subclassed
643 by user code.
644 \end{envdesc}
645
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000646 \begin{envdesc}{memberdesc}{\op{type name}\p{name}}
647 Describe an object data attribute. The description should
648 include information about the type of the data to be expected
649 and whether it may be changed directly.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000650 \end{envdesc}
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000651 \begin{envdesc}{memberdescni}{\op{type name}\p{name}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000652 Like \env{memberdesc}, but without creating any index entries.
653 \end{envdesc}
654
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000655 \begin{envdesc}{methoddesc}{\op{type name}\p{name}\p{parameters}}
656 Describe an object method. \var{parameters} should not include
657 the \var{self} parameter or the parentheses used in the call
658 syntax. The description should include similar information to
659 that described for \env{funcdesc}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000660 \end{envdesc}
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +0000661 \begin{envdesc}{methoddescni}{\op{type name}\p{name}\p{parameters}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000662 Like \env{methoddesc}, but without creating any index entries.
663 \end{envdesc}
664
665
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +0000666 \subsection{Showing Code Examples \label{showing-examples}}
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000667
668 Examples of Python source code or interactive sessions are
669 represented as \env{verbatim} environments. This environment
670 is a standard part of \LaTeX{}. It is important to only use
671 spaces for indentation in code examples since \TeX{} drops tabs
672 instead of converting them to spaces.
673
674 Representing an interactive session requires including the prompts
675 and output along with the Python code. No special markup is
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000676 required for interactive sessions. After the last line of input
677 or output presented, there should not be an ``unused'' primary
678 prompt; this is an example of what \emph{not} to do:
679
680\begin{verbatim}
681>>> 1 + 1
6822
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000683>>>
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000684\end{verbatim}
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000685
686 Within the \env{verbatim} environment, characters special to
687 \LaTeX{} do not need to be specially marked in any way. The entire
688 example will be presented in a monospaced font; no attempt at
689 ``pretty-printing'' is made, as the environment must work for
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +0000690 non-Python code and non-code displays. There should be no blank
691 lines at the top or bottom of any \env{verbatim} display.
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000692
Fred Drake66eed242001-06-18 14:59:58 +0000693 Longer displays of verbatim text may be included by storing the
694 example text in an external file containing only plain text. The
695 file may be included using the standard \macro{verbatiminput}
696 macro; this macro takes a single argument naming the file
697 containing the text. For example, to include the Python source
698 file \file{example.py}, use:
699
700\begin{verbatim}
701\verbatiminput{example.py}
702\end{verbatim}
703
704 Use of \macro{verbatiminput} allows easier use of special editing
705 modes for the included file. The file should be placed in the
706 same directory as the \LaTeX{} files for the document.
707
Fred Drake5eb992b1999-06-11 14:25:45 +0000708 The Python Documentation Special Interest Group has discussed a
709 number of approaches to creating pretty-printed code displays and
710 interactive sessions; see the Doc-SIG area on the Python Web site
711 for more information on this topic.
712
713
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +0000714 \subsection{Inline Markup \label{inline-markup}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +0000715
Fred Drake87f768e1999-05-17 15:22:45 +0000716 The macros described in this section are used to mark just about
717 anything interesting in the document text. They may be used in
718 headings (though anything involving hyperlinks should be avoided
719 there) as well as in the body text.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000720
721 \begin{macrodesc}{bfcode}{\p{text}}
722 Like \macro{code}, but also makes the font bold-face.
723 \end{macrodesc}
724
725 \begin{macrodesc}{cdata}{\p{name}}
726 The name of a C-language variable.
727 \end{macrodesc}
728
729 \begin{macrodesc}{cfunction}{\p{name}}
730 The name of a C-language function. \var{name} should include the
731 function name and the trailing parentheses.
732 \end{macrodesc}
733
734 \begin{macrodesc}{character}{\p{char}}
735 A character when discussing the character rather than a one-byte
736 string value. The character will be typeset as with \macro{samp}.
737 \end{macrodesc}
738
Fred Drake29a710f1999-11-10 22:51:18 +0000739 \begin{macrodesc}{citetitle}{\op{url}\p{title}}
740 A title for a referenced publication. If \var{url} is specified,
741 the title will be made into a hyperlink when formatted as HTML.
742 \end{macrodesc}
743
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000744 \begin{macrodesc}{class}{\p{name}}
745 A class name; a dotted name may be used.
746 \end{macrodesc}
747
748 \begin{macrodesc}{code}{\p{text}}
749 A short code fragment or literal constant value. Typically, it
750 should not include any spaces since no quotation marks are
751 added.
752 \end{macrodesc}
753
754 \begin{macrodesc}{constant}{\p{name}}
755 The name of a ``defined'' constant. This may be a C-language
756 \code{\#define} or a Python variable that is not intended to be
757 changed.
758 \end{macrodesc}
759
Fred Drake79bf99c2002-04-09 20:17:42 +0000760 \begin{macrodesc}{csimplemacro}{\p{name}}
761 The name of a ``simple'' macro. Simple macros are macros
762 which are used for code expansion, but which do not take
763 arguments so cannot be described as functions. This is not to
764 be used for simple constant definitions. Examples of it's use
765 in the Python documentation include
766 \csimplemacro{PyObject_HEAD} and
767 \csimplemacro{Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS}.
768 \end{macrodesc}
769
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000770 \begin{macrodesc}{ctype}{\p{name}}
771 The name of a C \keyword{typedef} or structure. For structures
772 defined without a \keyword{typedef}, use \code{\e ctype\{struct
773 struct_tag\}} to make it clear that the \keyword{struct} is
774 required.
775 \end{macrodesc}
776
777 \begin{macrodesc}{deprecated}{\p{version}\p{what to do}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000778 Declare whatever is being described as being deprecated starting
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000779 with release \var{version}. The text given as \var{what to do}
Fred Drakef79f2f92002-05-21 16:27:20 +0000780 should recommend something to use instead. It should be
781 complete sentences. The entire deprecation notice will be
782 presented as a separate paragraph; it should either preceed or
783 succeed the description of the deprecated feature.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000784 \end{macrodesc}
785
786 \begin{macrodesc}{dfn}{\p{term}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000787 Mark the defining instance of \var{term} in the text. (No index
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000788 entries are generated.)
789 \end{macrodesc}
790
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +0000791 \begin{macrodesc}{e}{}
792 Produces a backslash. This is convenient in \macro{code} and
Fred Drake31edf4d2000-09-07 20:06:07 +0000793 similar macros, and is only defined there. To create a
Fred Drake2b853412000-04-11 19:08:30 +0000794 backslash in ordinary text (such as the contents of the
795 \macro{file} macro), use the standard \macro{textbackslash} macro.
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +0000796 \end{macrodesc}
797
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000798 \begin{macrodesc}{email}{\p{address}}
799 An email address. Note that this is \emph{not} hyperlinked in
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +0000800 any of the possible output formats. The domain name portion of
801 the address should be lower case.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000802 \end{macrodesc}
803
804 \begin{macrodesc}{emph}{\p{text}}
805 Emphasized text; this will be presented in an italic font.
806 \end{macrodesc}
807
808 \begin{macrodesc}{envvar}{\p{name}}
809 An environment variable. Index entries are generated.
810 \end{macrodesc}
811
812 \begin{macrodesc}{exception}{\p{name}}
813 The name of an exception. A dotted name may be used.
814 \end{macrodesc}
815
816 \begin{macrodesc}{file}{\p{file or dir}}
817 The name of a file or directory. In the PDF and PostScript
818 outputs, single quotes and a font change are used to indicate
819 the file name, but no quotes are used in the HTML output.
Fred Drake64a5aaf2001-10-20 04:18:14 +0000820 \warning{The \macro{file} macro cannot be used in the
821 content of a section title due to processing limitations.}
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000822 \end{macrodesc}
823
824 \begin{macrodesc}{filenq}{\p{file or dir}}
825 Like \macro{file}, but single quotes are never used. This can
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000826 be used in conjunction with tables if a column will only contain
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000827 file or directory names.
Fred Drake64a5aaf2001-10-20 04:18:14 +0000828 \warning{The \macro{filenq} macro cannot be used in the
829 content of a section title due to processing limitations.}
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000830 \end{macrodesc}
831
832 \begin{macrodesc}{function}{\p{name}}
833 The name of a Python function; dotted names may be used.
834 \end{macrodesc}
835
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000836 \begin{macrodesc}{infinity}{}
837 The symbol for mathematical infinity: \infinity. Some Web
838 browsers are not able to render the HTML representation of this
839 symbol properly, but support is growing.
840 \end{macrodesc}
841
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000842 \begin{macrodesc}{kbd}{\p{key sequence}}
843 Mark a sequence of keystrokes. What form \var{key sequence}
844 takes may depend on platform- or application-specific
Fred Drake07178d22001-07-12 02:08:29 +0000845 conventions. When there are no relevant conventions, the names
846 of modifier keys should be spelled out, to improve accessibility
847 for new users and non-native speakers. For example, an
848 \program{xemacs} key sequence may be marked like
849 \code{\e kbd\{C-x C-f\}}, but without reference to a specific
850 application or platform, the same sequence should be marked as
851 \code{\e kbd\{Control-x Control-f\}}.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000852 \end{macrodesc}
853
854 \begin{macrodesc}{keyword}{\p{name}}
855 The name of a keyword in a programming language.
856 \end{macrodesc}
857
Fred Drake8b3a7b52001-09-26 17:01:58 +0000858 \begin{macrodesc}{mailheader}{\p{name}}
859 The name of an \rfc{822}-style mail header. This markup does
860 not imply that the header is being used in an email message, but
861 can be used to refer to any header of the same ``style.'' This
862 is also used for headers defined by the various MIME
863 specifications. The header name should be entered in the same
864 way it would normally be found in practice, with the
865 camel-casing conventions being preferred where there is more
Fred Drake203d91a2001-09-26 18:43:20 +0000866 than one common usage. The colon which follows the name of the
867 header should not be included.
868 For example: \code{\e mailheader\{Content-Type\}}.
Fred Drake8b3a7b52001-09-26 17:01:58 +0000869 \end{macrodesc}
870
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000871 \begin{macrodesc}{makevar}{\p{name}}
872 The name of a \program{make} variable.
873 \end{macrodesc}
874
875 \begin{macrodesc}{manpage}{\p{name}\p{section}}
876 A reference to a \UNIX{} manual page.
877 \end{macrodesc}
878
879 \begin{macrodesc}{member}{\p{name}}
880 The name of a data attribute of an object.
881 \end{macrodesc}
882
883 \begin{macrodesc}{method}{\p{name}}
884 The name of a method of an object. \var{name} should include the
885 method name and the trailing parentheses. A dotted name may be
886 used.
887 \end{macrodesc}
888
889 \begin{macrodesc}{mimetype}{\p{name}}
Fred Drake8b3a7b52001-09-26 17:01:58 +0000890 The name of a MIME type, or a component of a MIME type (the
891 major or minor portion, taken alone).
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000892 \end{macrodesc}
893
894 \begin{macrodesc}{module}{\p{name}}
Fred Drake2b853412000-04-11 19:08:30 +0000895 The name of a module; a dotted name may be used. This should
896 also be used for package names.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000897 \end{macrodesc}
898
899 \begin{macrodesc}{newsgroup}{\p{name}}
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +0000900 The name of a Usenet newsgroup.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000901 \end{macrodesc}
902
Fred Drake92350b32001-10-09 18:01:23 +0000903 \begin{macrodesc}{note}{\p{text}}
904 An especially important bit of information about an API that a
905 user should be aware of when using whatever bit of API the
906 note pertains to. This should be the last thing in the
907 paragraph as the end of the note is not visually marked in
Fred Drake64a5aaf2001-10-20 04:18:14 +0000908 any way. The content of \var{text} should be written in
909 complete sentences and include all appropriate punctuation.
Fred Drake92350b32001-10-09 18:01:23 +0000910 \end{macrodesc}
911
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000912 \begin{macrodesc}{pep}{\p{number}}
913 A reference to a Python Enhancement Proposal. This generates
914 appropriate index entries. The text \samp{PEP \var{number}} is
915 generated; in the HTML output, this text is a hyperlink to an
916 online copy of the specified PEP.
917 \end{macrodesc}
918
919 \begin{macrodesc}{plusminus}{}
920 The symbol for indicating a value that may take a positive or
921 negative value of a specified magnitude, typically represented
922 by a plus sign placed over a minus sign. For example:
Fred Drake203d91a2001-09-26 18:43:20 +0000923 \code{\e plusminus 3\%{}}.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000924 \end{macrodesc}
925
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000926 \begin{macrodesc}{program}{\p{name}}
927 The name of an executable program. This may differ from the
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000928 file name for the executable for some platforms. In particular,
929 the \file{.exe} (or other) extension should be omitted for
Martin v. Löwis36a4d8c2002-10-10 18:24:54 +0000930 Windows programs.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000931 \end{macrodesc}
932
Fred Drake29a710f1999-11-10 22:51:18 +0000933 \begin{macrodesc}{programopt}{\p{option}}
Fred Drakece444982000-04-11 18:52:52 +0000934 A command-line option to an executable program. Use this only
Greg Ward8b46c712002-06-29 01:23:45 +0000935 for ``short'' options, and include the leading hyphen.
Fred Drakece444982000-04-11 18:52:52 +0000936 \end{macrodesc}
937
938 \begin{macrodesc}{longprogramopt}{\p{option}}
939 A long command-line option to an executable program. This
940 should only be used for long option names which will be prefixed
941 by two hyphens; the hyphens should not be provided as part of
942 \var{option}.
Fred Drake29a710f1999-11-10 22:51:18 +0000943 \end{macrodesc}
944
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000945 \begin{macrodesc}{refmodule}{\op{key}\p{name}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000946 Like \macro{module}, but create a hyperlink to the documentation
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000947 for the named module. Note that the corresponding
948 \macro{declaremodule} must be in the same document. If the
949 \macro{declaremodule} defines a module key different from the
950 module name, it must also be provided as \var{key} to the
951 \macro{refmodule} macro.
952 \end{macrodesc}
953
954 \begin{macrodesc}{regexp}{\p{string}}
955 Mark a regular expression.
956 \end{macrodesc}
957
958 \begin{macrodesc}{rfc}{\p{number}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000959 A reference to an Internet Request for Comments. This generates
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000960 appropriate index entries. The text \samp{RFC \var{number}} is
961 generated; in the HTML output, this text is a hyperlink to an
962 online copy of the specified RFC.
963 \end{macrodesc}
964
965 \begin{macrodesc}{samp}{\p{text}}
966 A short code sample, but possibly longer than would be given
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +0000967 using \macro{code}. Since quotation marks are added, spaces are
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000968 acceptable.
969 \end{macrodesc}
970
Fred Drakeaf2b7142000-09-14 20:11:05 +0000971 \begin{macrodesc}{shortversion}{}
972 The ``short'' version number of the documented software, as
973 specified using the \macro{setshortversion} macro in the
974 preamble. For Python, the short version number for a release is
975 the first three characters of the \code{sys.version} value. For
976 example, versions 2.0b1 and 2.0.1 both have a short version of
977 2.0. This may not apply for all packages; if
978 \macro{setshortversion} is not used, this produces an empty
979 expansion. See also the \macro{version} macro.
980 \end{macrodesc}
981
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +0000982 \begin{macrodesc}{strong}{\p{text}}
983 Strongly emphasized text; this will be presented using a bold
984 font.
985 \end{macrodesc}
986
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +0000987 \begin{macrodesc}{ulink}{\p{text}\p{url}}
988 A hypertext link with a target specified by a URL, but for which
989 the link text should not be the title of the resource. For
990 resources being referenced by name, use the \macro{citetitle}
991 macro. Not all formatted versions support arbitrary hypertext
992 links. Note that many characters are special to \LaTeX{} and
993 this macro does not always do the right thing. In particular,
994 the tilde character (\character{\~}) is mis-handled; encoding it
995 as a hex-sequence does work, use \samp{\%7e} in place of the
996 tilde character.
997 \end{macrodesc}
998
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +0000999 \begin{macrodesc}{url}{\p{url}}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00001000 A URL (or URN). The URL will be presented as text. In the HTML
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00001001 and PDF formatted versions, the URL will also be a hyperlink.
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001002 This can be used when referring to external resources without
1003 specific titles; references to resources which have titles
1004 should be marked using the \macro{citetitle} macro. See the
1005 comments about special characters in the description of the
1006 \macro{ulink} macro for special considerations.
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00001007 \end{macrodesc}
1008
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +00001009 \begin{macrodesc}{var}{\p{name}}
1010 The name of a variable or formal parameter in running text.
1011 \end{macrodesc}
1012
1013 \begin{macrodesc}{version}{}
Fred Drakeaf2b7142000-09-14 20:11:05 +00001014 The version number of the described software, as specified using
1015 \macro{release} in the preamble. See also the
1016 \macro{shortversion} macro.
Fred Drake2f4bebd1999-04-28 16:43:11 +00001017 \end{macrodesc}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001018
Fred Drake3151f442001-04-18 05:19:06 +00001019 \begin{macrodesc}{versionadded}{\op{explanation}\p{version}}
Fred Drakec26cc912000-05-02 17:43:44 +00001020 The version of Python which added the described feature to the
Fred Drake3151f442001-04-18 05:19:06 +00001021 library or C API. \var{explanation} should be a \emph{brief}
1022 explanation of the change consisting of a capitalized sentence
1023 fragment; a period will be appended by the formatting process.
1024 This is typically added to the end of the first paragraph of the
1025 description before any availability notes. The location should
1026 be selected so the explanation makes sense and may vary as
1027 needed.
Fred Drakec26cc912000-05-02 17:43:44 +00001028 \end{macrodesc}
1029
1030 \begin{macrodesc}{versionchanged}{\op{explanation}\p{version}}
1031 The version of Python in which the named feature was changed in
1032 some way (new parameters, changed side effects, etc.).
1033 \var{explanation} should be a \emph{brief} explanation of the
Fred Drake63568aa2000-10-19 05:36:10 +00001034 change consisting of a capitalized sentence fragment; a
Fred Drakec26cc912000-05-02 17:43:44 +00001035 period will be appended by the formatting process.
1036 This is typically added to the end of the first paragraph of the
1037 description before any availability notes and after
1038 \macro{versionadded}. The location should be selected so the
1039 explanation makes sense and may vary as needed.
1040 \end{macrodesc}
1041
Fred Drake92350b32001-10-09 18:01:23 +00001042 \begin{macrodesc}{warning}{\p{text}}
1043 An important bit of information about an API that a user should
1044 be very aware of when using whatever bit of API the warning
1045 pertains to. This should be the last thing in the paragraph as
Fred Drake64a5aaf2001-10-20 04:18:14 +00001046 the end of the warning is not visually marked in any way. The
1047 content of \var{text} should be written in complete sentences
1048 and include all appropriate punctuation. This differs from
1049 \macro{note} in that it is recommended over \macro{note} for
1050 information regarding security.
Fred Drake92350b32001-10-09 18:01:23 +00001051 \end{macrodesc}
1052
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001053
Fred Drake6ca33772001-12-14 22:50:06 +00001054 \subsection{Miscellaneous Text Markup \label{misc-text-markup}}
1055
1056 In addition to the inline markup, some additional ``block'' markup
1057 is defined to make it easier to bring attention to various bits of
1058 text. The markup described here serves this purpose, and is
1059 intended to be used when marking one or more paragraphs or other
1060 block constructs (such as \env{verbatim} environments).
1061
1062 \begin{envdesc}{notice}{\op{type}}
1063 Label some paragraphs as being worthy of additional attention from
1064 the reader. What sort of attention is warrented can be indicated
1065 by specifying the \var{type} of the notice. The only values
1066 defined for \var{type} are \code{note} and \code{warning}; these
1067 are equivalent in intent to the inline markup of the same name.
1068 If \var{type} is omitted, \code{note} is used. Additional values
1069 may be defined in the future.
1070 \end{envdesc}
1071
1072
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001073 \subsection{Module-specific Markup \label{module-markup}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001074
1075 The markup described in this section is used to provide information
1076 about a module being documented. A typical use of this markup
1077 appears at the top of the section used to document a module. A
1078 typical example might look like this:
1079
1080\begin{verbatim}
1081\section{\module{spam} ---
1082 Access to the SPAM facility}
1083
1084\declaremodule{extension}{spam}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001085 \platform{Unix}
Fred Drake9120df32001-07-14 02:34:12 +00001086\modulesynopsis{Access to the SPAM facility of \UNIX.}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001087\moduleauthor{Jane Doe}{jane.doe@frobnitz.org}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001088\end{verbatim}
1089
Fred Drake7932ed02000-08-11 17:37:33 +00001090 Python packages\index{packages} --- collections of modules that can
1091 be described as a unit --- are documented using the same markup as
1092 modules. The name for a module in a package should be typed in
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001093 ``fully qualified'' form (it should include the package name).
Fred Drake7932ed02000-08-11 17:37:33 +00001094 For example, a module ``foo'' in package ``bar'' should be marked as
Fred Drake203d91a2001-09-26 18:43:20 +00001095 \code{\e module\{bar.foo\}}, and the beginning of the reference
Fred Drake7932ed02000-08-11 17:37:33 +00001096 section would appear as:
1097
1098\begin{verbatim}
1099\section{\module{bar.foo} ---
1100 Module from the \module{bar} package}
1101
1102\declaremodule{extension}{bar.foo}
1103\modulesynopsis{Nifty module from the \module{bar} package.}
1104\moduleauthor{Jane Doe}{jane.doe@frobnitz.org}
1105\end{verbatim}
1106
1107 Note that the name of a package is also marked using
1108 \macro{module}.
1109
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001110 \begin{macrodesc}{declaremodule}{\op{key}\p{type}\p{name}}
Fred Drake87f768e1999-05-17 15:22:45 +00001111 Requires two parameters: module type (\samp{standard},
1112 \samp{builtin}, \samp{extension}, or \samp{}), and the module
1113 name. An optional parameter should be given as the basis for the
1114 module's ``key'' used for linking to or referencing the section.
1115 The ``key'' should only be given if the module's name contains any
1116 underscores, and should be the name with the underscores stripped.
1117 Note that the \var{type} parameter must be one of the values
1118 listed above or an error will be printed. For modules which are
1119 contained in packages, the fully-qualified name should be given as
1120 \var{name} parameter. This should be the first thing after the
1121 \macro{section} used to introduce the module.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001122 \end{macrodesc}
1123
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001124 \begin{macrodesc}{platform}{\p{specifier}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001125 Specifies the portability of the module. \var{specifier} is a
1126 comma-separated list of keys that specify what platforms the
1127 module is available on. The keys are short identifiers;
1128 examples that are in use include \samp{IRIX}, \samp{Mac},
1129 \samp{Windows}, and \samp{Unix}. It is important to use a key
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +00001130 which has already been used when applicable. This is used to
1131 provide annotations in the Module Index and the HTML and GNU info
1132 output.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001133 \end{macrodesc}
1134
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001135 \begin{macrodesc}{modulesynopsis}{\p{text}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001136 The \var{text} is a short, ``one line'' description of the
1137 module that can be used as part of the chapter introduction.
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001138 This is must be placed after \macro{declaremodule}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001139 The synopsis is used in building the contents of the table
1140 inserted as the \macro{localmoduletable}. No text is
1141 produced at the point of the markup.
1142 \end{macrodesc}
1143
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001144 \begin{macrodesc}{moduleauthor}{\p{name}\p{email}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001145 This macro is used to encode information about who authored a
1146 module. This is currently not used to generate output, but can be
1147 used to help determine the origin of the module.
1148 \end{macrodesc}
1149
1150
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001151 \subsection{Library-level Markup \label{library-markup}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001152
1153 This markup is used when describing a selection of modules. For
Fred Drake698d5201999-11-10 15:54:57 +00001154 example, the \citetitle[../mac/mac.html]{Macintosh Library
1155 Modules} document uses this to help provide an overview of the
1156 modules in the collection, and many chapters in the
1157 \citetitle[../lib/lib.html]{Python Library Reference} use it for
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001158 the same purpose.
1159
1160 \begin{macrodesc}{localmoduletable}{}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001161 If a \file{.syn} file exists for the current
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001162 chapter (or for the entire document in \code{howto} documents), a
1163 \env{synopsistable} is created with the contents loaded from the
1164 \file{.syn} file.
1165 \end{macrodesc}
1166
1167
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001168 \subsection{Table Markup \label{table-markup}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001169
1170 There are three general-purpose table environments defined which
1171 should be used whenever possible. These environments are defined
1172 to provide tables of specific widths and some convenience for
1173 formatting. These environments are not meant to be general
1174 replacements for the standard \LaTeX{} table environments, but can
1175 be used for an advantage when the documents are processed using
1176 the tools for Python documentation processing. In particular, the
1177 generated HTML looks good! There is also an advantage for the
Fred Drake67f193f2001-07-09 16:04:03 +00001178 eventual conversion of the documentation to XML (see section
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001179 \ref{futures}, ``Future Directions'').
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001180
1181 Each environment is named \env{table\var{cols}}, where \var{cols}
1182 is the number of columns in the table specified in lower-case
1183 Roman numerals. Within each of these environments, an additional
1184 macro, \macro{line\var{cols}}, is defined, where \var{cols}
1185 matches the \var{cols} value of the corresponding table
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001186 environment. These are supported for \var{cols} values of
1187 \code{ii}, \code{iii}, and \code{iv}. These environments are all
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001188 built on top of the \env{tabular} environment. Variants based on
1189 the \env{longtable} environment are also provided.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001190
Fred Drake2b853412000-04-11 19:08:30 +00001191 Note that all tables in the standard Python documentation use
1192 vertical lines between columns, and this must be specified in the
1193 markup for each table. A general border around the outside of the
1194 table is not used, but would be the responsibility of the
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001195 processor; the document markup should not include an exterior
1196 border.
1197
1198 The \env{longtable}-based variants of the table environments are
1199 formatted with extra space before and after, so should only be
1200 used on tables which are long enough that splitting over multiple
1201 pages is reasonable; tables with fewer than twenty rows should
1202 never by marked using the long flavors of the table environments.
1203 The header row is repeated across the top of each part of the
1204 table.
Fred Drake2b853412000-04-11 19:08:30 +00001205
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001206 \begin{envdesc}{tableii}{\p{colspec}\p{col1font}\p{heading1}\p{heading2}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001207 Create a two-column table using the \LaTeX{} column specifier
1208 \var{colspec}. The column specifier should indicate vertical
1209 bars between columns as appropriate for the specific table, but
1210 should not specify vertical bars on the outside of the table
1211 (that is considered a stylesheet issue). The \var{col1font}
1212 parameter is used as a stylistic treatment of the first column
1213 of the table: the first column is presented as
1214 \code{\e\var{col1font}\{column1\}}. To avoid treating the first
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001215 column specially, \var{col1font} may be \samp{textrm}. The
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001216 column headings are taken from the values \var{heading1} and
1217 \var{heading2}.
1218 \end{envdesc}
1219
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001220 \begin{envdesc}{longtableii}{\unspecified}
1221 Like \env{tableii}, but produces a table which may be broken
1222 across page boundaries. The parameters are the same as for
1223 \env{tableii}.
1224 \end{envdesc}
1225
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001226 \begin{macrodesc}{lineii}{\p{column1}\p{column2}}
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001227 Create a single table row within a \env{tableii} or
1228 \env{longtableii} environment.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001229 The text for the first column will be generated by applying the
1230 macro named by the \var{col1font} value when the \env{tableii}
1231 was opened.
1232 \end{macrodesc}
1233
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001234 \begin{envdesc}{tableiii}{\p{colspec}\p{col1font}\p{heading1}\p{heading2}\p{heading3}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001235 Like the \env{tableii} environment, but with a third column.
1236 The heading for the third column is given by \var{heading3}.
1237 \end{envdesc}
1238
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001239 \begin{envdesc}{longtableiii}{\unspecified}
1240 Like \env{tableiii}, but produces a table which may be broken
1241 across page boundaries. The parameters are the same as for
1242 \env{tableiii}.
1243 \end{envdesc}
1244
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001245 \begin{macrodesc}{lineiii}{\p{column1}\p{column2}\p{column3}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001246 Like the \macro{lineii} macro, but with a third column. The
1247 text for the third column is given by \var{column3}.
1248 \end{macrodesc}
1249
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001250 \begin{envdesc}{tableiv}{\p{colspec}\p{col1font}\p{heading1}\p{heading2}\p{heading3}\p{heading4}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001251 Like the \env{tableiii} environment, but with a fourth column.
1252 The heading for the fourth column is given by \var{heading4}.
1253 \end{envdesc}
1254
Fred Drakeda72b932000-09-21 15:58:02 +00001255 \begin{envdesc}{longtableiv}{\unspecified}
1256 Like \env{tableiv}, but produces a table which may be broken
1257 across page boundaries. The parameters are the same as for
1258 \env{tableiv}.
1259 \end{envdesc}
1260
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001261 \begin{macrodesc}{lineiv}{\p{column1}\p{column2}\p{column3}\p{column4}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001262 Like the \macro{lineiii} macro, but with a fourth column. The
1263 text for the fourth column is given by \var{column4}.
1264 \end{macrodesc}
1265
Fred Drakef269e592001-07-17 23:05:57 +00001266 \begin{envdesc}{tablev}{\p{colspec}\p{col1font}\p{heading1}\p{heading2}\p{heading3}\p{heading4}\p{heading5}}
1267 Like the \env{tableiv} environment, but with a fifth column.
1268 The heading for the fifth column is given by \var{heading5}.
1269 \end{envdesc}
1270
1271 \begin{envdesc}{longtablev}{\unspecified}
1272 Like \env{tablev}, but produces a table which may be broken
1273 across page boundaries. The parameters are the same as for
1274 \env{tablev}.
1275 \end{envdesc}
1276
1277 \begin{macrodesc}{linev}{\p{column1}\p{column2}\p{column3}\p{column4}\p{column5}}
1278 Like the \macro{lineiv} macro, but with a fifth column. The
1279 text for the fifth column is given by \var{column5}.
1280 \end{macrodesc}
1281
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001282
1283 An additional table-like environment is \env{synopsistable}. The
1284 table generated by this environment contains two columns, and each
1285 row is defined by an alternate definition of
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +00001286 \macro{modulesynopsis}. This environment is not normally used by
1287 authors, but is created by the \macro{localmoduletable} macro.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001288
Fred Drake0cac5f62001-08-14 21:36:19 +00001289 Here is a small example of a table given in the documentation for
1290 the \module{warnings} module; markup inside the table cells is
1291 minimal so the markup for the table itself is readily discernable.
1292 Here is the markup for the table:
1293
1294\begin{verbatim}
1295\begin{tableii}{l|l}{exception}{Class}{Description}
1296 \lineii{Warning}
1297 {This is the base class of all warning category classes. It
1298 is a subclass of \exception{Exception}.}
1299 \lineii{UserWarning}
1300 {The default category for \function{warn()}.}
1301 \lineii{DeprecationWarning}
1302 {Base category for warnings about deprecated features.}
1303 \lineii{SyntaxWarning}
1304 {Base category for warnings about dubious syntactic
1305 features.}
1306 \lineii{RuntimeWarning}
1307 {Base category for warnings about dubious runtime features.}
Barry Warsawb8c20a72002-08-14 16:40:54 +00001308 \lineii{FutureWarning}
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00001309 {Base category for warnings about constructs that will change
1310 semantically in the future.}
Fred Drake0cac5f62001-08-14 21:36:19 +00001311\end{tableii}
1312\end{verbatim}
1313
1314 Here is the resulting table:
1315
1316\begin{tableii}{l|l}{exception}{Class}{Description}
1317 \lineii{Warning}
1318 {This is the base class of all warning category classes. It
1319 is a subclass of \exception{Exception}.}
1320 \lineii{UserWarning}
1321 {The default category for \function{warn()}.}
1322 \lineii{DeprecationWarning}
1323 {Base category for warnings about deprecated features.}
1324 \lineii{SyntaxWarning}
1325 {Base category for warnings about dubious syntactic
1326 features.}
1327 \lineii{RuntimeWarning}
1328 {Base category for warnings about dubious runtime features.}
1329\end{tableii}
1330
1331 Note that the class names are implicitly marked using the
1332 \macro{exception} macro, since that is given as the \var{col1font}
1333 value for the \env{tableii} environment. To create a table using
1334 different markup for the first column, use \code{textrm} for the
1335 \var{col1font} value and mark each entry individually.
1336
1337 To add a horizontal line between vertical sections of a table, use
1338 the standard \macro{hline} macro between the rows which should be
1339 separated:
1340
1341\begin{verbatim}
1342\begin{tableii}{l|l}{constant}{Language}{Audience}
1343 \lineii{APL}{Masochists.}
1344 \lineii{BASIC}{First-time programmers on PC hardware.}
1345 \lineii{C}{\UNIX{} \&\ Linux kernel developers.}
1346 \hline
1347 \lineii{Python}{Everyone!}
1348\end{tableii}
1349\end{verbatim}
1350
1351 Note that not all presentation formats are capable of displaying a
1352 horizontal rule in this position. This is how the table looks in
1353 the format you're reading now:
1354
1355\begin{tableii}{l|l}{constant}{Language}{Audience}
1356 \lineii{APL}{Masochists.}
1357 \lineii{C}{\UNIX{} \&\ Linux kernel developers.}
1358 \lineii{JavaScript}{Web developers.}
1359 \hline
1360 \lineii{Python}{Everyone!}
1361\end{tableii}
1362
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001363
1364 \subsection{Reference List Markup \label{references}}
1365
1366 Many sections include a list of references to module documentation
1367 or external documents. These lists are created using the
Fred Drake5ed35fd2001-11-30 18:09:54 +00001368 \env{seealso} or \env{seealso*} environments. These environments
1369 define some additional macros to support creating reference
1370 entries in a reasonable manner.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001371
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001372 The \env{seealso} environment is typically placed in a section
1373 just before any sub-sections. This is done to ensure that
1374 reference links related to the section are not hidden in a
Fred Drake5ed35fd2001-11-30 18:09:54 +00001375 subsection in the hypertext renditions of the documentation. For
1376 the HTML output, it is shown as a ``side bar,'' boxed off from the
1377 main flow of the text. The \env{seealso*} environment is
1378 different in that it should be used when a list of references is
1379 being presented as part of the primary content; it is not
1380 specially set off from the text.
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001381
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001382 \begin{envdesc}{seealso}{}
1383 This environment creates a ``See also:'' heading and defines the
1384 markup used to describe individual references.
1385 \end{envdesc}
1386
Fred Drake5ed35fd2001-11-30 18:09:54 +00001387 \begin{envdesc}{seealso*}{}
1388 This environment is used to create a list of references which
1389 form part of the main content. It is not given a special
1390 header and is not set off from the main flow of the text. It
1391 provides the same additional markup used to describe individual
1392 references.
1393 \end{envdesc}
1394
Fred Drake48449982000-09-12 17:52:33 +00001395 For each of the following macros, \var{why} should be one or more
1396 complete sentences, starting with a capital letter (unless it
1397 starts with an identifier, which should not be modified), and
Fred Drake4f687b32004-01-08 14:57:27 +00001398 ending with the appropriate punctuation.
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001399
Fred Drakeb7cf3782000-09-12 19:58:10 +00001400 These macros are only defined within the content of the
Fred Drake5ed35fd2001-11-30 18:09:54 +00001401 \env{seealso} and \env{seealso*} environments.
Fred Drakeb7cf3782000-09-12 19:58:10 +00001402
Fred Drake4f687b32004-01-08 14:57:27 +00001403 \begin{macrodesc}{seelink}{\p{url}\p{linktext}\p{why}}
1404 References to specific on-line resources should be given using
1405 the \macro{seelink} macro if they don't have a meaningful title
1406 but there is some short description of what's at the end of the
1407 link. Online documents which have identifiable titles should be
1408 referenced using the \macro{seetitle} macro, using the optional
1409 parameter to that macro to provide the URL.
1410 \end{macrodesc}
1411
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001412 \begin{macrodesc}{seemodule}{\op{key}\p{name}\p{why}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001413 Refer to another module. \var{why} should be a brief
1414 explanation of why the reference may be interesting. The module
1415 name is given in \var{name}, with the link key given in
1416 \var{key} if necessary. In the HTML and PDF conversions, the
1417 module name will be a hyperlink to the referred-to module.
Fred Drake64a5aaf2001-10-20 04:18:14 +00001418 \note{The module must be documented in the same
1419 document (the corresponding \macro{declaremodule} is required).}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001420 \end{macrodesc}
1421
Fred Drake08c5d0c2000-09-11 05:22:30 +00001422 \begin{macrodesc}{seepep}{\p{number}\p{title}\p{why}}
1423 Refer to an Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP). \var{number}
1424 should be the official number assigned by the PEP Editor,
1425 \var{title} should be the human-readable title of the PEP as
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001426 found in the official copy of the document, and \var{why} should
Fred Drake08c5d0c2000-09-11 05:22:30 +00001427 explain what's interesting about the PEP. This should be used
1428 to refer the reader to PEPs which specify interfaces or language
1429 features relevant to the material in the annotated section of the
1430 documentation.
1431 \end{macrodesc}
1432
1433 \begin{macrodesc}{seerfc}{\p{number}\p{title}\p{why}}
1434 Refer to an IETF Request for Comments (RFC). Otherwise very
1435 similar to \macro{seepep}. This should be used
1436 to refer the reader to PEPs which specify protocols or data
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001437 formats relevant to the material in the annotated section of the
1438 documentation.
1439 \end{macrodesc}
1440
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001441 \begin{macrodesc}{seetext}{\p{text}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001442 Add arbitrary text \var{text} to the ``See also:'' list. This
1443 can be used to refer to off-line materials or on-line materials
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001444 using the \macro{url} macro. This should consist of one or more
1445 complete sentences.
1446 \end{macrodesc}
1447
Fred Drake48449982000-09-12 17:52:33 +00001448 \begin{macrodesc}{seetitle}{\op{url}\p{title}\p{why}}
1449 Add a reference to an external document named \var{title}. If
1450 \var{url} is given, the title is made a hyperlink in the HTML
1451 version of the documentation, and displayed below the title in
1452 the typeset versions of the documentation.
1453 \end{macrodesc}
1454
Fred Drake5802e482000-07-06 05:24:41 +00001455 \begin{macrodesc}{seeurl}{\p{url}\p{why}}
1456 References to specific on-line resources should be given using
Fred Drake5ed35fd2001-11-30 18:09:54 +00001457 the \macro{seeurl} macro if they don't have a meaningful title.
1458 Online documents which have identifiable titles should be
1459 referenced using the \macro{seetitle} macro, using the optional
1460 parameter to that macro to provide the URL.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001461 \end{macrodesc}
1462
1463
1464 \subsection{Index-generating Markup \label{indexing}}
1465
1466 Effective index generation for technical documents can be very
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +00001467 difficult, especially for someone familiar with the topic but not
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001468 the creation of indexes. Much of the difficulty arises in the
1469 area of terminology: including the terms an expert would use for a
1470 concept is not sufficient. Coming up with the terms that a novice
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001471 would look up is fairly difficult for an author who, typically, is
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001472 an expert in the area she is writing on.
1473
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001474 The truly difficult aspects of index generation are not areas with
1475 which the documentation tools can help. However, ease
Fred Drakee15956b2000-04-03 04:51:13 +00001476 of producing the index once content decisions are made is within
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001477 the scope of the tools. Markup is provided which the processing
1478 software is able to use to generate a variety of kinds of index
1479 entry with minimal effort. Additionally, many of the environments
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +00001480 described in section \ref{info-units}, ``Information Units,'' will
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001481 generate appropriate entries into the general and module indexes.
1482
1483 The following macro can be used to control the generation of index
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001484 data, and should be used in the document preamble:
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001485
1486 \begin{macrodesc}{makemodindex}{}
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001487 This should be used in the document preamble if a ``Module
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001488 Index'' is desired for a document containing reference material
1489 on many modules. This causes a data file
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00001490 \code{lib\var{jobname}.idx} to be created from the
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001491 \macro{declaremodule} macros. This file can be processed by the
1492 \program{makeindex} program to generate a file which can be
1493 \macro{input} into the document at the desired location of the
1494 module index.
1495 \end{macrodesc}
1496
1497 There are a number of macros that are useful for adding index
1498 entries for particular concepts, many of which are specific to
1499 programming languages or even Python.
1500
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001501 \begin{macrodesc}{bifuncindex}{\p{name}}
Fred Drakeec8b9051999-04-23 20:01:17 +00001502 Add an index entry referring to a built-in function named
1503 \var{name}; parentheses should not be included after
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001504 \var{name}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001505 \end{macrodesc}
1506
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001507 \begin{macrodesc}{exindex}{\p{exception}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001508 Add a reference to an exception named \var{exception}. The
Neal Norwitz847207a2003-05-29 02:17:23 +00001509 exception should be class-based.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001510 \end{macrodesc}
1511
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001512 \begin{macrodesc}{kwindex}{\p{keyword}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001513 Add a reference to a language keyword (not a keyword parameter
1514 in a function or method call).
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001515 \end{macrodesc}
1516
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001517 \begin{macrodesc}{obindex}{\p{object type}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001518 Add an index entry for a built-in object type.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001519 \end{macrodesc}
1520
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001521 \begin{macrodesc}{opindex}{\p{operator}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001522 Add a reference to an operator, such as \samp{+}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001523 \end{macrodesc}
1524
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001525 \begin{macrodesc}{refmodindex}{\op{key}\p{module}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001526 Add an index entry for module \var{module}; if \var{module}
1527 contains an underscore, the optional parameter \var{key} should
1528 be provided as the same string with underscores removed. An
1529 index entry ``\var{module} (module)'' will be generated. This
1530 is intended for use with non-standard modules implemented in
1531 Python.
1532 \end{macrodesc}
1533
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001534 \begin{macrodesc}{refexmodindex}{\op{key}\p{module}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001535 As for \macro{refmodindex}, but the index entry will be
1536 ``\var{module} (extension module).'' This is intended for use
1537 with non-standard modules not implemented in Python.
1538 \end{macrodesc}
1539
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001540 \begin{macrodesc}{refbimodindex}{\op{key}\p{module}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001541 As for \macro{refmodindex}, but the index entry will be
1542 ``\var{module} (built-in module).'' This is intended for use
1543 with standard modules not implemented in Python.
1544 \end{macrodesc}
1545
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001546 \begin{macrodesc}{refstmodindex}{\op{key}\p{module}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001547 As for \macro{refmodindex}, but the index entry will be
1548 ``\var{module} (standard module).'' This is intended for use
1549 with standard modules implemented in Python.
1550 \end{macrodesc}
1551
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001552 \begin{macrodesc}{stindex}{\p{statement}}
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001553 Add an index entry for a statement type, such as \keyword{print}
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001554 or \keyword{try}/\keyword{finally}.
1555
1556 XXX Need better examples of difference from \macro{kwindex}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001557 \end{macrodesc}
1558
1559
1560 Additional macros are provided which are useful for conveniently
1561 creating general index entries which should appear at many places
1562 in the index by rotating a list of words. These are simple macros
1563 that simply use \macro{index} to build some number of index
1564 entries. Index entries build using these macros contain both
1565 primary and secondary text.
1566
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001567 \begin{macrodesc}{indexii}{\p{word1}\p{word2}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001568 Build two index entries. This is exactly equivalent to using
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00001569 \code{\e index\{\var{word1}!\var{word2}\}} and
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001570 \code{\e index\{\var{word2}!\var{word1}\}}.
1571 \end{macrodesc}
1572
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001573 \begin{macrodesc}{indexiii}{\p{word1}\p{word2}\p{word3}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001574 Build three index entries. This is exactly equivalent to using
1575 \code{\e index\{\var{word1}!\var{word2} \var{word3}\}},
1576 \code{\e index\{\var{word2}!\var{word3}, \var{word1}\}}, and
1577 \code{\e index\{\var{word3}!\var{word1} \var{word2}\}}.
1578 \end{macrodesc}
1579
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001580 \begin{macrodesc}{indexiv}{\p{word1}\p{word2}\p{word3}\p{word4}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001581 Build four index entries. This is exactly equivalent to using
1582 \code{\e index\{\var{word1}!\var{word2} \var{word3} \var{word4}\}},
1583 \code{\e index\{\var{word2}!\var{word3} \var{word4}, \var{word1}\}},
1584 \code{\e index\{\var{word3}!\var{word4}, \var{word1} \var{word2}\}},
1585 and
1586 \code{\e index\{\var{word4}!\var{word1} \var{word2} \var{word3}\}}.
1587 \end{macrodesc}
1588
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001589 \subsection{Grammar Production Displays \label{grammar-displays}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001590
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001591 Special markup is available for displaying the productions of a
1592 formal grammar. The markup is simple and does not attempt to
1593 model all aspects of BNF (or any derived forms), but provides
1594 enough to allow context-free grammars to be displayed in a way
1595 that causes uses of a symbol to be rendered as hyperlinks to the
1596 definition of the symbol. There is one environment and a pair of
1597 macros:
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001598
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001599 \begin{envdesc}{productionlist}{\op{language}}
1600 This environment is used to enclose a group of productions. The
1601 two macros are only defined within this environment. If a
1602 document descibes more than one language, the optional parameter
1603 \var{language} should be used to distinguish productions between
1604 languages. The value of the parameter should be a short name
1605 that can be used as part of a filename; colons or other
1606 characters that can't be used in filename across platforms
1607 should be included.
1608 \end{envdesc}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001609
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001610 \begin{macrodesc}{production}{\p{name}\p{definition}}
1611 A production rule in the grammar. The rule defines the symbol
1612 \var{name} to be \var{definition}. \var{name} should not
1613 contain any markup, and the use of hyphens in a document which
1614 supports more than one grammar is undefined. \var{definition}
1615 may contain \macro{token} macros and any additional content
1616 needed to describe the grammatical model of \var{symbol}. Only
1617 one \macro{production} may be used to define a symbol ---
1618 multiple definitions are not allowed.
1619 \end{macrodesc}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001620
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001621 \begin{macrodesc}{token}{\p{name}}
1622 The name of a symbol defined by a \macro{production} macro, used
1623 in the \var{definition} of a symbol. Where possible, this will
1624 be rendered as a hyperlink to the definition of the symbol
1625 \var{name}.
1626 \end{macrodesc}
Fred Drake42934682000-04-03 15:00:28 +00001627
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001628 Note that the entire grammar does not need to be defined in a
1629 single \env{productionlist} environment; any number of
1630 groupings may be used to describe the grammar. Every use of the
1631 \macro{token} must correspond to a \macro{production}.
1632
1633 The following is an example taken from the
1634 \citetitle[../ref/identifiers.html]{Python Reference Manual}:
1635
1636\begin{verbatim}
1637\begin{productionlist}
1638 \production{identifier}
1639 {(\token{letter}|"_") (\token{letter} | \token{digit} | "_")*}
1640 \production{letter}
1641 {\token{lowercase} | \token{uppercase}}
1642 \production{lowercase}
1643 {"a"..."z"}
1644 \production{uppercase}
1645 {"A"..."Z"}
1646 \production{digit}
1647 {"0"..."9"}
1648\end{productionlist}
1649\end{verbatim}
1650
1651
Fred Drakee1341582002-09-25 18:44:21 +00001652\subsection{Graphical Interface Components \label{gui-markup}}
Fred Drake432cef02001-07-06 22:34:33 +00001653
1654 The components of graphical interfaces will be assigned markup, but
Fred Drakee1341582002-09-25 18:44:21 +00001655 most of the specifics have not been determined.
1656
1657 \begin{macrodesc}{menuselection}{\p{menupath}}
1658 Menu selections should be marked using a combination of
1659 \macro{menuselection} and \macro{sub}. This macro is used to mark
1660 a complete sequence of menu selections, including selecting
1661 submenus and choosing a specific operation, or any subsequence of
1662 such a sequence. The names of individual selections should be
1663 separated by occurances of \macro{sub}.
1664
1665 For example, to mark the selection ``\menuselection{Start \sub
1666 Programs}'', use this markup:
1667
1668\begin{verbatim}
1669\menuselection{Start \sub Programs}
1670\end{verbatim}
1671
1672 When including a selection that includes some trailing indicator,
1673 such as the ellipsis some operating systems use to indicate that
1674 the command opens a dialog, the indicator should be omitted from
1675 the selection name.
1676 \end{macrodesc}
1677
1678 \begin{macrodesc}{sub}{}
1679 Separator for menu selections that include multiple levels. This
1680 macro is only defined within the context of the
1681 \macro{menuselection} macro.
1682 \end{macrodesc}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001683
1684
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001685\section{Processing Tools \label{tools}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001686
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001687 \subsection{External Tools \label{tools-external}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001688
1689 Many tools are needed to be able to process the Python
1690 documentation if all supported formats are required. This
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00001691 section lists the tools used and when each is required. Consult
1692 the \file{Doc/README} file to see if there are specific version
1693 requirements for any of these.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001694
1695 \begin{description}
1696 \item[\program{dvips}]
1697 This program is a typical part of \TeX{} installations. It is
1698 used to generate PostScript from the ``device independent''
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001699 \file{.dvi} files. It is needed for the conversion to
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001700 PostScript.
1701
1702 \item[\program{emacs}]
1703 Emacs is the kitchen sink of programmers' editors, and a damn
1704 fine kitchen sink it is. It also comes with some of the
1705 processing needed to support the proper menu structures for
1706 Texinfo documents when an info conversion is desired. This is
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001707 needed for the info conversion. Using \program{xemacs}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001708 instead of FSF \program{emacs} may lead to instability in the
1709 conversion, but that's because nobody seems to maintain the
1710 Emacs Texinfo code in a portable manner.
1711
1712 \item[\program{latex}]
Fred Drakeb5f17f22001-08-28 18:09:11 +00001713 \LaTeX{} is a large and extensible macro package by Leslie
1714 Lamport, based on \TeX, a world-class typesetter by Donald
1715 Knuth. It is used for the conversion to PostScript, and is
1716 needed for the HTML conversion as well (\LaTeX2HTML requires
1717 one of the intermediate files it creates).
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001718
1719 \item[\program{latex2html}]
1720 Probably the longest Perl script anyone ever attempted to
1721 maintain. This converts \LaTeX{} documents to HTML documents,
1722 and does a pretty reasonable job. It is required for the
1723 conversions to HTML and GNU info.
1724
1725 \item[\program{lynx}]
1726 This is a text-mode Web browser which includes an
1727 HTML-to-plain text conversion. This is used to convert
1728 \code{howto} documents to text.
1729
1730 \item[\program{make}]
1731 Just about any version should work for the standard documents,
1732 but GNU \program{make} is required for the experimental
1733 processes in \file{Doc/tools/sgmlconv/}, at least while
Fred Drakeb5f17f22001-08-28 18:09:11 +00001734 they're experimental. This is not required for running the
Fred Drakef9dc0432001-08-29 02:34:10 +00001735 \program{mkhowto} script.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001736
1737 \item[\program{makeindex}]
1738 This is a standard program for converting \LaTeX{} index data
1739 to a formatted index; it should be included with all \LaTeX{}
1740 installations. It is needed for the PDF and PostScript
1741 conversions.
1742
1743 \item[\program{makeinfo}]
1744 GNU \program{makeinfo} is used to convert Texinfo documents to
1745 GNU info files. Since Texinfo is used as an intermediate
1746 format in the info conversion, this program is needed in that
1747 conversion.
1748
1749 \item[\program{pdflatex}]
1750 pdf\TeX{} is a relatively new variant of \TeX, and is used to
1751 generate the PDF version of the manuals. It is typically
1752 installed as part of most of the large \TeX{} distributions.
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +00001753 \program{pdflatex} is pdf\TeX{} using the \LaTeX{} format.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001754
1755 \item[\program{perl}]
1756 Perl is required for \LaTeX2HTML{} and one of the scripts used
1757 to post-process \LaTeX2HTML output, as well as the
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001758 HTML-to-Texinfo conversion. This is required for
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001759 the HTML and GNU info conversions.
1760
1761 \item[\program{python}]
1762 Python is used for many of the scripts in the
1763 \file{Doc/tools/} directory; it is required for all
1764 conversions. This shouldn't be a problem if you're interested
1765 in writing documentation for Python!
1766 \end{description}
1767
1768
Fred Drakef1b3de82001-07-24 14:38:34 +00001769 \subsection{Internal Tools \label{tools-internal}}
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001770
1771 This section describes the various scripts that are used to
1772 implement various stages of document processing or to orchestrate
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001773 entire build sequences. Most of these tools are only useful
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001774 in the context of building the standard documentation, but some
1775 are more general.
1776
1777 \begin{description}
1778 \item[\program{mkhowto}]
Fred Drake87f768e1999-05-17 15:22:45 +00001779 This is the primary script used to format third-party
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00001780 documents. It contains all the logic needed to ``get it
1781 right.'' The proper way to use this script is to make a
1782 symbolic link to it or run it in place; the actual script file
1783 must be stored as part of the documentation source tree,
Fred Drakeefb3a162003-10-01 04:15:09 +00001784 though it may be used to format documents outside the tree.
1785 Use \program{mkhowto} \longprogramopt{help} for a list of
Fred Draked2a727f1999-05-27 21:45:54 +00001786 command line options.
Fred Drake87f768e1999-05-17 15:22:45 +00001787
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00001788 \program{mkhowto} can be used for both \code{howto} and
Fred Draked80032b2002-09-25 21:41:22 +00001789 \code{manual} class documents. It is usually a good idea to
1790 always use the latest version of this tool rather than a
Fred Drakeefb3a162003-10-01 04:15:09 +00001791 version from an older source release of Python. It can be
1792 used to generate DVI, HTML, PDF, PostScript, and plain text
1793 documents. The GNU info and iSilo formats will be supported
1794 by this script in some future version.
1795
1796 Use the \longprogramopt{help} option on this script's command
1797 line to get a summary of options for this script.
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00001798
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00001799 XXX Need more here.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001800 \end{description}
1801
1802
Fred Drakeeb2b8332002-05-01 22:05:30 +00001803 \subsection{Working on Cygwin \label{cygwin}}
1804
Fred Drakeeb2b8332002-05-01 22:05:30 +00001805 Installing the required tools under Cygwin under Cygwin can be a
1806 little tedious, if only because many packages are more difficult
1807 to install under Cygwin.
1808
1809 Using the Cygwin installer, make sure your Cygwin installation
1810 includes Perl, Python, and the \TeX{} packages. Perl and Python
Fred Drakea66b6c12003-07-16 13:50:28 +00001811 are located under \menuselection{Interpreters} in the installer.
Fred Drakeeb2b8332002-05-01 22:05:30 +00001812 The \TeX{} packages are located in the \menuselection{Text}
Fred Drakea66b6c12003-07-16 13:50:28 +00001813 section; installing the \code{tetex-beta}, \code{texmf},
1814 \code{texmf-base}, and \code{texmf-extra} ensures that all the
1815 required packages are available. (There may be a more minimal
1816 set, but I've not spent time trying to minimize the installation.)
Fred Drakeeb2b8332002-05-01 22:05:30 +00001817
1818 The netpbm package is used by \LaTeX2HTML, and \emph{must} be
1819 installed before \LaTeX2HTML can be successfully installed, even
1820 though they will never be used for most Python documentation.
1821 References to download locations are located in the \ulink{netpbm
1822 README}{http://netpbm.sourceforge.net/README}. Install according
1823 to the instructions.
1824
1825 \LaTeX2HTML can be installed from the source archive, but only
1826 after munging one of the files in the distribution. Edit the file
1827 \file{L2hos.pm} in the top level of the unpacked distribution;
1828 near the bottom of the file, change the text
1829 \code{\$\textasciicircum{}O} with the text \code{'unix'}. Proceed
1830 using this command to build and install the software:
1831
1832\begin{verbatim}
1833% configure && make install
1834\end{verbatim}
1835
Fred Drakeefb3a162003-10-01 04:15:09 +00001836 You should now be able to build at least the DVI, HTML, PDF, and
Fred Drake77c18952002-05-02 21:10:48 +00001837 PostScript versions of the formatted documentation.
1838
Fred Drakeeb2b8332002-05-01 22:05:30 +00001839
Fred Drake40b9df22003-10-11 05:25:24 +00001840\section{Including Graphics \label{graphics}}
1841
1842 The standard documentation included with Python makes no use of
1843 diagrams or images; this is intentional. The outside tools used to
1844 format the documentation have not always been suited to working with
1845 graphics. As the tools have evolved and been improved by their
1846 maintainers, support for graphics has improved.
1847
1848 The internal tools, starting with the \program{mkhowto} script, do
1849 not provide any direct support for graphics. However,
1850 \program{mkhowto} will not interfere with graphics support in the
1851 external tools.
1852
1853 Experience using graphics together with these tools and the
1854 \code{howto} and \code{manual} document classes is not extensive,
1855 but has been known to work. The basic approach is this:
1856
1857 \begin{enumerate}
1858 \item Create the image or graphic using your favorite
1859 application.
1860
1861 \item Convert the image to a format supported by the conversion to
1862 your desired output format. If you want to generate HTML or
1863 PostScript, you can convert the image or graphic to
1864 encapsulated PostScript (a \file{.eps} file); \LaTeX2HTML
1865 can convert that to a \file{.gif} file; it may be possible
1866 to provide a \file{.gif} file directly. If you want to
1867 generate PDF, you need to provide an ``encapsulated'' PDF
1868 file. This can be generated from encapsulated PostScript
1869 using the \program{epstopdf} tool provided with the te\TeX{}
1870 distribution on Linux and \UNIX.
1871
1872 \item In your document, add this line to ``import'' the general
1873 graphics support package \code{graphicx}:
1874
1875\begin{verbatim}
1876\usepackage{graphicx}
1877\end{verbatim}
1878
1879 \item Where you want to include your graphic or image, include
1880 markup similar to this:
1881
1882\begin{verbatim}
1883\begin{figure}
1884 \centering
1885 \includegraphics[width=5in]{myimage}
1886 \caption{Description of my image}
1887\end{figure}
1888\end{verbatim}
1889
1890 In particular, note for the \macro{includegraphics} macro
1891 that no file extension is provided. If you're only
1892 interested in one target format, you can include the
1893 extension of the appropriate input file, but to allow
1894 support for multiple formats, omitting the extension makes
1895 life easier.
1896
1897 \item Run \program{mkhowto} normally.
1898 \end{enumerate}
1899
1900 If you're working on systems which support some sort of
1901 \program{make} facility, you can use that to ensure the intermediate
1902 graphic formats are kept up to date. This example shows a
1903 \file{Makefile} used to format a document containing a diagram
1904 created using the \program{dia} application:
1905
1906\begin{verbatim}
1907default: pdf
1908all: html pdf ps
1909
1910html: mydoc/mydoc.html
1911pdf: mydoc.pdf
1912ps: mydoc.ps
1913
1914mydoc/mydoc.html: mydoc.tex mygraphic.eps
1915 mkhowto --html $<
1916
1917mydoc.pdf: mydoc.tex mygraphic.pdf
1918 mkhowto --pdf $<
1919
1920mydoc.ps: mydoc.tex mygraphic.eps
1921 mkhowto --postscript $<
1922
1923.SUFFIXES: .dia .eps .pdf
1924
1925.dia.eps:
1926 dia --nosplash --export $@ $<
1927
1928.eps.pdf:
1929 epstopdf $<
1930\end{verbatim} % $ <-- bow to font-lock
1931
1932
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001933\section{Future Directions \label{futures}}
1934
1935 The history of the Python documentation is full of changes, most of
1936 which have been fairly small and evolutionary. There has been a
1937 great deal of discussion about making large changes in the markup
1938 languages and tools used to process the documentation. This section
1939 deals with the nature of the changes and what appears to be the most
1940 likely path of future development.
1941
1942 \subsection{Structured Documentation \label{structured}}
1943
1944 Most of the small changes to the \LaTeX{} markup have been made
1945 with an eye to divorcing the markup from the presentation, making
1946 both a bit more maintainable. Over the course of 1998, a large
1947 number of changes were made with exactly this in mind; previously,
1948 changes had been made but in a less systematic manner and with
1949 more concern for not needing to update the existing content. The
1950 result has been a highly structured and semantically loaded markup
1951 language implemented in \LaTeX. With almost no basic \TeX{} or
1952 \LaTeX{} markup in use, however, the markup syntax is about the
1953 only evidence of \LaTeX{} in the actual document sources.
1954
1955 One side effect of this is that while we've been able to use
1956 standard ``engines'' for manipulating the documents, such as
1957 \LaTeX{} and \LaTeX2HTML, most of the actual transformations have
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +00001958 been created specifically for Python. The \LaTeX{} document
1959 classes and \LaTeX2HTML support are both complete implementations
1960 of the specific markup designed for these documents.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001961
1962 Combining highly customized markup with the somewhat esoteric
1963 systems used to process the documents leads us to ask some
1964 questions: Can we do this more easily? and, Can we do this
1965 better? After a great deal of discussion with the community, we
1966 have determined that actively pursuing modern structured
Fred Drake2c4e0091999-03-29 14:55:55 +00001967 documentation systems is worth some investment of time.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001968
1969 There appear to be two real contenders in this arena: the Standard
1970 General Markup Language (SGML), and the Extensible Markup Language
1971 (XML). Both of these standards have advantages and disadvantages,
1972 and many advantages are shared.
1973
1974 SGML offers advantages which may appeal most to authors,
1975 especially those using ordinary text editors. There are also
1976 additional abilities to define content models. A number of
Fred Drake67f193f2001-07-09 16:04:03 +00001977 high-quality tools with demonstrated maturity are available, but
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001978 most are not free; for those which are, portability issues remain
1979 a problem.
1980
1981 The advantages of XML include the availability of a large number
1982 of evolving tools. Unfortunately, many of the associated
1983 standards are still evolving, and the tools will have to follow
1984 along. This means that developing a robust tool set that uses
1985 more than the basic XML 1.0 recommendation is not possible in the
1986 short term. The promised availability of a wide variety of
1987 high-quality tools which support some of the most important
1988 related standards is not immediate. Many tools are likely to be
Fred Drake67f193f2001-07-09 16:04:03 +00001989 free, and the portability issues of those which are, are not
1990 expected to be significant.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00001991
Fred Drake67f193f2001-07-09 16:04:03 +00001992 It turns out that converting to an XML or SGML system holds
1993 promise for translators as well; how much can be done to ease the
1994 burden on translators remains to be seen, and may have some impact
1995 on the schema and specific technologies used.
1996
1997 XXX Eventual migration to XML.
1998
1999 The documentation will be moved to XML in the future, and tools
2000 are being written which will convert the documentation from the
2001 current format to something close to a finished version, to the
2002 extent that the desired information is already present in the
2003 documentation. Some XSLT stylesheets have been started for
2004 presenting a preliminary XML version as HTML, but the results are
Fred Drakee7f343d2003-07-11 03:36:15 +00002005 fairly rough.
Fred Drake67f193f2001-07-09 16:04:03 +00002006
2007 The timeframe for the conversion is not clear since there doesn't
2008 seem to be much time available to work on this, but the appearant
2009 benefits are growing more substantial at a moderately rapid pace.
2010
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00002011
2012 \subsection{Discussion Forums \label{discussion}}
2013
2014 Discussion of the future of the Python documentation and related
Fred Drake7a737df1999-04-23 14:41:44 +00002015 topics takes place in the Documentation Special Interest Group, or
2016 ``Doc-SIG.'' Information on the group, including mailing list
2017 archives and subscription information, is available at
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00002018 \url{http://www.python.org/sigs/doc-sig/}. The SIG is open to all
2019 interested parties.
2020
2021 Comments and bug reports on the standard documents should be sent
Fred Drake9d843082003-07-30 02:55:28 +00002022 to \email{docs@python.org}. This may include comments
Fred Drakeadade921999-04-22 13:05:27 +00002023 about formatting, content, grammatical and spelling errors, or
Fred Draked1fb7791999-05-17 16:33:54 +00002024 this document. You can also send comments on this document
2025 directly to the author at \email{fdrake@acm.org}.
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00002026
Skip Montanaro176bda4cd2002-04-19 04:50:44 +00002027\input{doc.ind}
2028
Fred Drakeacffaee1999-03-16 16:09:13 +00002029\end{document}