3 Apr
2012
3 Apr
'12
5:31 a.m.
On 03/04/12 2:02 AM, Mouse wrote:
Yes, and I found it a good manual. I agree there is no "spec". But I
never needed one in order to use TeX.
I'm still not convinced a 2nd implementation is needed -- is it?
> Someday,
perhaps, when I have a spare year or so, I may sit down
> with the Web source [to TeX] and try to glark enough documentation
> to at least permit creating a compatible independent implementation.
There are better things to do with your life,
surely, since the
existing implementation is so damned good. :)
The implementation does not exist in a vacuum. In particular, it does
not exist independent of its documentation. And, as I said, as far as
I can tell (and I don't see you disagreeing), it is documented rather
poorly. In particular, it is not documented in enough detail for the
independent creation of a compatible implementation.
The TeXbook is a good user's manual for the existing implementation.
But it is a user's manual; it does not contain a spec (though it does
contain substantial portions of one).
As for better things to do with my life...if you can convince me you
know what gives my life worth to me, I'll listen. Until then, about
all such statements do is give me reason to believe you think you know
more than you actually do.
Huh?
It's a figure of speech. You aren't meant to take it literally.
--T
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