Re: Org mode and Emacs

[Ihor Radchenko <yantar92@posteo.net>]

Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org> writes:

>> There is a single word "directives" in
>> https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/texinfo.git/plain/NEWS:
>> 
>>     . #line directives are recognized.
>
> Look for changes whose heading is "Language:".

I did, and in many cases Texinfo added things that are already available
in Org. Otherwise, these changes are not really that frequent. I do not
see much problem catching up.

>> I understand. However, new features are added to Texinfo for a reason.
>> If the same reason is valid for Org, equivalent features may be added.
>
> The reason why features are added to Texinfo is that those features
> are useful for writing software documentation.  After all, this is the
> main purpose of Texinfo.  So I cannot see how the same reasons could
> not be valid for Org -- assuming that Org wants to support writing
> software documentation, not just the Emacs manuals in their current
> form.

Org is different from Texinfo and certain things that are impossible
with Texinfo and require changing grammar are trivial in Org without
upstream changes. I really do not see the raised problem as real
problem.

To clarify, my stance on this idea with better support for authoring
software manuals is to be done in several stages:


   [ we are at this point now ]

1. Provide basic programmable constructs on Org syntax level. This is
   generally useful and should be done anyway for various reasons.
   
2. Use the programmable constructs as a basis for an optional library
   that will allow software manual-specific markup in Org, aiming for an
   equivalence of export output. This can be useful, at least, for
   people using Org to write README files.

   [ here, we may re-consider the whole idea and see if we should move
     further ]

3. Look into fine-tuning commands provided by Texinfo (like formatting
   and layout control) and see if they can (or should) be integrated
   into Org.

   [ the problem you describe is to be considered seriously here, and I
      do not see why it should be the show stopper ]

4. Look if people are interested to switch from Texinfo to Org.

5. Look about maintaining parity between Texinfo and Org.

-- 
Ihor Radchenko // yantar92,
Org mode contributor,
Learn more about Org mode at <https://orgmode.org/>.
Support Org development at <https://liberapay.com/org-mode>,
or support my work at <https://liberapay.com/yantar92>