🚀 go-pugleaf

There are two query languages form SGML documents being developed in
ISO/IEC JTC1/SC18/WG8, HyQ, as part of HyTime, ISO 10744, and an unnamed
language as part of DSSSL, ISO/DIS 10179. We are developing tow
languages because these two standards, while they both manipulate SGML
documents, are partially complementary in scope and functionality. DSSSL
deals with pure SGML files. Although HyTime requires the "hub document"
to be in SGML, subsidiary documents may be in any format, including
binary digitized audio or graphics. DSSSL and HyQ both operate on
property sets defined in SGML. DSSSL's location model is entirely in
terms of SGML structures (where an element is in the tree, its
relstionships to its siblings, . . . ). HyTime also needs to deal with
finite coordinate spaces (this happens three seconds after that). As of
the September meeting of WG8, we feel that in the areas of simultaneous
interest, there should be simple mappings between the languages.

Note that these SGML-based query languages are something different from
FSQL.

HyTime will be published shortly by ISO in Geneva. Copies will be
available from national standards bodies like ANSI and BSI; there will
probably be a few authorized redistributors like GCA and TechnoTeacher.

DSSSL is expected to go out for final ballot early in 1993.

James David Mason
Convenor, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC18/WG8	
MASONJD@ORNL.GOV