Source : WordNet®

standard generalized markup language
     n : (computer science) a standardized language for the
         descriptive markup of documents; a set of rules for using
         whatever markup vocabulary is adopted [syn: {SGML}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Standard Generalized Markup Language
     
         (SGML) A generic {markup} language for
        representing documents.  SGML is an International Standard
        that describes the relationship between a document's content
        and its structure.  SGML allows document-based information to
        be shared and re-used across applications and computer
        {platforms} in an open, vendor-neutral format.  SGML is
        sometimes compared to {SQL}, in that it enables companies to
        structure information in documents in an open fashion, so that
        it can be accessed or re-used by any SGML-aware application
        across multiple platforms.
     
        SGML is defined in "ISO 8879:1986 Information processing --
        Text and office systems -- Standard Generalized Markup
        Language (SGML)", an {ISO} standard produced by {JTC} 1/SC 18
        and amended by "Amendment 1:1988".
     
        Unlike other common document file formats that represent both
        content and presentation, SGML represents a document's content
        {data} and structure (interrelationships among the data).
        Removing the presentation from content establishes a neutral
        format.  SGML documents and the information in them can easily
        be re-used by publishing and non-publishing {applications}.
     
        SGML identifies document elements such as titles, paragraphs,
        tables, and chapters as distinct objects, allowing users to
        define the relationships between the objects for structuring
        data in documents.  The relationships between document
        elements are defined in a {Document Type Definition} (DTD).
        This is roughly analogous to a collection of {field}
        definitions in a {database}.  Once a document is converted
        into SGML and the information has been 'tagged', it becomes a
        database-like document.  It can be searched, printed or even
        programmatically manipulated by SGML-aware applications.
     
        Companies are moving their documents into SGML for several
        reasons:
     
        Reuse - separation of content from presentation facilitates
        multiple delivery formats like {CD-ROM} and {electronic
        publishing}.
     
        Portability - SGML is an international, platform-independent,
        standard based on {ASCII} text, so companies can safely store
        their documents in SGML without being tied to any one vendor.
     
        Interchange - SGML is a core data standard that enables
        SGML-aware applications to inter-operate and share data
        seamlessly.
     
        A central SGML document store can feed multiple processes in a
        company, so managing and updating information is greatly
        simplified.  For example, when an aeroplane is delivered to a
        customer, it comes with thousands of pages of documentation.
        Distributing these on paper is expensive, so companies are
        investigating publishing on CD-ROM.  If a maintenance person
        needs a guide for adjusting a plane's flight surfaces, a
        viewing tool automatically assembles the relevant information
        from the document {repository} as a complete document.  SGML
        can be used to define attributes to information stored in
        documents such as security levels.
     
        There are few clear leaders in the SGML industry which, in
        1993, was estimated to be worth US $520 million and is
        projected to grow to over US $1.46 billion by 1998.
     
        A wide variety tools can be used to create SGML systems.  The
        SGML industry can be separated into the following categories:
     
        Mainstream Authoring consists of the key {word processing}
        vendors like {Lotus}, {WordPerfect} and {Microsoft}.
     
        SGML Editing and Publishing includes traditional SGML
        authoring tools like {ArborText}, {Interleaf}, {FrameBuilder}
        and {SoftQuad Author}/Editor.
     
        SGML Conversions is one of the largest sectors in the market
        today because many companies are converting legacy data from
        mainframes, or documents created with mainstream word
        processors, into SGML.
     
        Electronic Delivery is widely regarded as the most compelling
        reason companies are moving to SGML.  Electronic delivery
        enables users to retrieve information on-line using an
        intelligent document viewer.
     
        Document Management may one day drive a major part of the
        overall SGML industry.
     
        SGML Document Repositories is one of the cornerstone
        technologies that will affect the progress of SGML as a data
        standard.
     
        Since 1998, almost all development in SGML has been focussed
        on {XML} - a simple (and therefore easier to understand and
        implement) subset of SGML.
     
        {"ISO 8879:1986//ENTITIES Added Latin 1//EN"
        (http://www.ucc.ie/info/net/isolat1.html)} defines some
        characters.  [How are these related to {ISO 8859}-1?].
     
        {ISO catalogue entry (http://www.iso.ch/cate/d16387.html)}.
     
        SGML parsers are available from
        {VU, NL (ftp://star.cs.vu.nl/Sgml)},
        {FSU (ftp://mailer.cc.fsu.edu/pub/sgml)},
        {UIO, Norway (ftp://ifi.uio.no/pub/SGML/SGMLS)}.
     
        See also {sgmls}.
     
        {Usenet} newsgroup: {news:comp.text.sgml}.
     
        ["The SGML Handbook", Charles F. Goldfarb, Clarendon Press,
        1991, ISBN 0198537379.  (Full text of the ISO standard plus
        extensive commentary and cross-referencing.  Somewhat cheaper
        than the ISO document)].
     
        ["SGML - The User's Guide to ISO 8879", J.M. Smith et al,
        Ellis Harwood, 1988].
     
        [Example of some SGML?]
     
        (2000-05-31)