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8
W r i t i n g e l e m e n t d e f i n i t i o n s
For information on importing and testing the definitions, see "Creating an Element
Catalog in a template" on page 103.
•
In many EDDs, the most complicated part of the definitions is the format rules
(particularly text format rules). The first time you work in a particular EDD, consider
defining just the structure rules and attribute definitions and testing only the structure and
attributes at that point. Then you can go back and add the format rules and test them in
a separate pass.
•
Provide a highest-level element for each structured flow possible in the documents. For
a book file, provide a highest-level element for the book and for each possible book
component (such as Front, Chapter, and Index).
•
After writing element definitions, validate the EDD before importing the definitions so that
you find missing elements and content errors.
•
Remember that the formats you refer to in element definitions must be stored in the
template. If you are working with a template designer, you need to coordinate the tags
and properties of the formats with the designer.
•
Create user variables for text in the EDD that you use again and again. For example, if
several elements have the same general rule, define a variable for the general rule.
Then, if necessary, you can change the general rules for all the elements by redefining
the variable definition.
See also "Keyboard shortcuts for working in an EDD" on page 102.
Defining a container, table or footnote element
Containers are general-purpose elements that you define for text, child elements, or a
combination of the two. Paragraphs, text ranges, heads, sections, and chapters are
common examples of containers. In a typical document, most elements are containers.
Tables, table parts (titles, headings, bodies, footings, rows, and cells), and footnotes are
similar to containers in that they can hold child elements and in some cases text. But these
elements are for a specific purpose—for a table or a footnote—and can be used only for
that purpose in a document.
An element definition for a container, table, table part, or footnote specifies a unique
element tag and element type and can also have any of these items:
•
A comment that describes the element
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Content rules that describe valid contents for the element or its descendants (the general
rule part of this is required). For each structured flow in the documents, at least one
container needs a rule specifying that the element is valid at the highest level
•
For a container, additional structure rules that provide initial contents for new instances
of the element. For a table, a tagging pattern that specifies the element tags assigned to
the rows and cells an end user creates with a new table
Structure Application Developer's Guide
93
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