The PTC ALD Toolbox
As mentioned previously, PTC ALD uses a set of tools to provide the flexibility and agility required to create publishing applications that respond to the diverse individual requirements of document types typically produced in the publishing world. As well as the physical components of PTC ALD, PTC ALD's functions and capabilities can also be considered as tools for the purposes of this document. These are all listed and described below.
The major exposed components of PTC ALD are:
• Macro processor: every action carried out by PTC ALD is controlled by a macro. Its macro processor works through a "queue", processing each macro in turn until the queue is empty. The macros control both the internal actions and settings for the application and the document composition process itself, and can be added to the queue from a variety of manual and programmatic sources:
◦ Keyboard: via keyboard assignments, typing or entries in the macro bar (see
Macro Bar).
◦ Menus
◦ Toolbars
◦ Files
◦ Scripts
• GUI: macros, instructions and other actions can be selected from any of the components that make up the PTC ALD interface:
◦ Windows
◦ Icons
◦ Toolbars
◦ Menus
◦ Dialog boxes: both system- and user-defined
GUI content can be customized, either at initial startup or on an "on the fly" basis for specific publishing applications.
• Output drivers: PTC ALD includes a set of output drivers that each produce output of a specific type, e.g. PNG, PostScript, PDF.
• Document processor: the document processor is a significant component of PTC ALD, handling the major stages of the publication process:
◦ Creation, manipulation and save of documents
◦ Edit and treatment of text
◦ Formatting and pagination of documents and their constituent frames and pages
◦ Creation and edit of graphics
◦ Control of scripts
As explained previously, in addition to these physical components, PTC ALD's individual functions contribute to the "toolbox" concept of PTC ALD's makeup and add to its unique strength:
• Content management: direct connection with nominated database(s) provides the option for automated import and export of data
• Content manipulation: PTC ALD supports the use of XSLT transformations, Perl scripting, SAX access, translation maps and other external applications to enhance the scope for manipulating content
• Page layout: the inclusion of pages, layers and frames support any level of document complexity
• Programming of formatting process: the use of queries and tests permits the entry of contextual data
• Alternate views: PTC ALD permits up to four alternate views to be configured for each document, each one containing a different layout
• Data export: data can be manipulated upon export to add greater flexibility