Re: [Psgml-devel] Re: Key sequence C-c C-f C-e uses invalid prefix characters

[Peter Flynn]

Karl Eichwalder wrote:

> It's arguable whether editing a SGML file counts as "processing"; if
> Emacs/psgml or any other editor would actually check the .sgml file
> against the DTD at _all_ stages it would be impossible to open some
> file or to tag a "plain" test file ;-)

I'm not sure what you mean by "check the .sgml file against the DTD
at _all_ stages" but if you mean "conduct continuous validation" then
many SGML and XML editors do exactly that: only they don't do it by
running a sequential parse of the entire document every time, they
just disallow any editing action which would break the rules of the DTD.

> > It doesn't matter what the `standard requires,' it matters what users
> > find convenient.
>
> Yes.

Interesting. How many more people think invalid C ought to compile?

> Peter exaggerates :)  IIRC, the standard makes some claims about a
> "conforming SGML system" and some such things -- but as long as you
> don't call Emacs/sgml-mode.el such a system there is nothing to worry
> aobut.

Perfectly correct, and it has never claimed to be such. I just think
the name is misleading.

> Better do it the other way around -- never ever pretend something is
> XML if you don't know it for sure.

Ditto with SGML :-)

I rest my case.

///Peter