22 Feb
2021
22 Feb
'21
9:57 p.m.
This proposal reminds me of Paul Glick’s lp command. It took whatever file you gave it,
and processed
it as necessary for whatever printer you chose. It was very useful, simple AI.
On Feb 22, 2021, at 10:49 AM, John P. Linderman
<jpl.jpl(a)gmail.com> wrote:
I can imagine a simple perl (or python or whatever) script that would run through groff
input, determine which preprocessors are actually needed, and set up a pipeline to run
through (only) the needed preprocessors in the proper order. I wouldn't have to tell
groff what preprocessors I think are needed, and groff wouldn't have to change
(although my script would) when another preprocessor comes into existence. Modern
processors are fast enough, and groff input small enough, that the "extra" pass
wouldn't be burdensome. And it would take the burden off me to remember exactly which
preprocessors are essential. -- jpl