Standard Generalized Markup Language

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Standard Generalized Markup Language

Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) is a powerful markup language used to describe the structure and layout of a document, allowing for the encoding of complex logical structures in a way that can be processed by computers. SGML provides a framework for creating customized markup languages, such as HTML and XML, for various specialized applications.

What does Standard Generalized Markup Language mean?

Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) is a set of standards that define a way to create documents that can be shared and understood by different computer systems. It is a metalanguage, which means that it is used to define other languages. SGML documents are composed of tags, which are used to identify different parts of the document. These tags can be used to define the structure of the document, the content of the document, and the formatting of the document.

SGML is based on the idea that a document can be divided into different parts, each of which has a specific purpose. For example, a document might have a heading, a body, and a footer. Each of these parts could be defined using a different set of tags. This makes it easy to create documents that are both structured and flexible.

SGML is a powerful tool that can be used to create a wide variety of documents, including:

  • Books
  • Articles
  • Reports
  • Presentations
  • Web pages

Applications

SGML is important in technology today because it provides a way to create documents that can be shared and understood by different computer systems. This is essential for a number of reasons, including:

  • Collaboration: SGML makes it easy for people to collaborate on documents, even if they are using different computers or Software.
  • Data Exchange: SGML can be used to exchange data between different systems, even if the systems use different formats.
  • Archiving: SGML documents can be archived and preserved for future use.

SGML is also used in a number of other applications, including:

  • Document Management: SGML can be used to manage documents, such as tracking changes and controlling access.
  • Content management: SGML can be used to manage content, such as creating and publishing web pages.
  • Electronic publishing: SGML can be used to publish documents in electronic formats, such as PDF and HTML.

History

SGML was developed in the early 1980s by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The first version of the SGML standard was published in 1986. SGML has been revised several times since then, with the most recent version being published in 2008.

SGML is the foundation for a number of other markup languages, including HTML and XML. HTML is used to create web pages, while XML is used to create a variety of other documents, such as data files and configuration files.

SGML is a powerful and versatile tool that is used in a wide variety of applications. It is a Key technology for Sharing and understanding documents, and it continues to be an important part of the technology landscape today.