converting formats

Bar Graph Browsers

HTML does not describe many elements of its content. For example, there is no way to determine the attributes of one text block from another. However, not all HTML content is without description. It does have specific tags for hyperlinks and images.

Using a specific tag to identify content makes it possible to create a script to read only those tags. When found, unwanted tag elements are removed, leaving only the content. The script writes the content in the new format or markup language. This is how HTML hyperlinks and images are converted to GRML.

tag additions

After consideration, the new upgrades to GRML include grouping, sorting, filtering, unions, and joins. These features exist in SQL. Fortunately, SQL offers a rich library of data handling capabilities appropriate to GRML. The problem is determining a non-obtrusive way to describe them using tags.

These are the tags, as proposed, for subsequent versions of GRML.

<group dimension>

Group is a keyword for a parent tag. To use this tag, a dimension is supplied. It determines which columns are available for grouping. The columns to group are the child tags.

<sort dimension>

Sort is a keyword for a parent tag. To use this tag, a dimension is supplied. It determines which columns are available for sorting. The columns to sort are the child tags.

<union>

Union is a keyword for a parent tag. The child tags are any available dimensions. To display multiple dimensions in one view, add them as child tags.

<filter dimension>

Filter is a keyword for a parent tag. Its use is still being determined. However, it is intended to filter results displayed by selected text.

<join dimension>

Join is a keyword for a parent tag. Its use is still being determined. However, it is intended to join multiple dimensions in one view, when they share a column.

Bar Graph Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers

Bar Graph Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers

Bar Graph Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers

Bar Graph Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers

Bar Graph Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browsers

possible changes

Adding sorting and grouping support seemed impractical goals, late November. After spending some time considering the possible problems, a practical solution has been developed. It allows the current syntax to maintain its consistency. Plus, it does not require any significant limitations to its implementation in future GRML releases.

The only remaining challenge is to support joins. There are four different types of joins to support in GRML. They are left inner join, right inner join, left outer join, and right outer join. It seemed support for some of these features was discretionary. However, after considering one of the first uses for testing, it became clear all were required.

The question now is, "How do you support all these commands without complicating the syntax and tag relationships?" This is yet another problem to solve, before upgrading GRML support in current releases. This also delays new releases, including browsers.

Bar Graphs - Browsers
Browsers
Browsers
Browsers

Bar Graphs - Browsers
Browsers
Browsers
Browsers

Bar Graphs - Browsers
Browsers
Browsers
Browsers

glossary

Freeware1 Bar graphs
Freeware1 Web Browsers (GRML)
Freeware1 Web Browsers (GRML)
Freeware1 Web Browsers (GRML)

File Guru Bar graphs
File Guru Web Browsers (GRML)
File Guru Web Browsers (GRML)
File Guru Web Browsers (GRML)

File Hungry Bar graphs
File Hungry Web Browsers (GRML)
File Hungry Web Browsers (GRML)
File Hungry Web Browsers (GRML)
File Hungry Web Browsers (GRML)

browser

Software used to read and display data from files or web pages. A browser using files is called a file browser. A browser using the web is called a web browser.

Browsers have navigation buttons, an address bar for submitting requests, and a viewing area for display.

comma separated values

A file format using a comma to distinguish data values. This format is also called comma delimited.

converter

Changes a file or web page from one format to another. For example, Pioneer Report MDI converts to/from GRML, CSV, or delimited formats.

CSV.

See comma separated values.

delimited

A file format using a character to distinguish data values. The character used to distinguish data values is called a delimiter. It defines the delimited format. For example, a file using a comma delimiter, is in comma delimited format.

dialog

Software with no child windows. An example is Microsoft Calculator.

editor

Software to load a file or web format, allowing editing and saving in the same format.

GRML

General Reuse Markup Language. A format using tags to markup data to define data values, data types, and data relationships.

MDI

Multiple Document Interface, is software using child windows. An example is Microsoft Word.

reader

Software to load a file or web page for display, computation, or converting.

SDI

Single Document Interface, is software with one child window. An example is Notepad.

support windows

Windows used in MDI and SDI software to support file and web browsing. For example, History, Picture, and Details are support windows for Pioneer Report MDI.

viewer

Software displaying a file or web format.

CSV and delimited formats.

Bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

Bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

Bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

CSV (Comma Separated Values) and delimited formats use characters to define values of data. This character is called a delimiter. A delimited format is defined by the delimiter it uses to separate values. For example, the CSV format uses a comma delimiter. It is a comma delimited format. A file using a TAB delimiter is in TAB delimited format.

Unlike other formats, such as HTML, or XML, delimited formats do not use tags to define values. Delimited formats are used to exchange data between applications, read data from files, or save data to file. Many databases, spreadsheets, and web browsers read and save files using a delimited format. For example, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft SQL Server read and save files using CSV and delimited formats.

With the emergence of XML, some have considered CSV and delimited formats to be legacy formats. Many new applications choose to add XML as an option to read and save data. So, some have asked the question if other formats are necessary. Since the largest software providers (Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle) still continue to support CSV and delimited formats, the question may be irrelevant. In addition, many legacy systems depend on CSV and delimited formats so much, they have become a de facto industry standard.

GRML plans

GRML Web Browsers for bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

GRML Web Browsers for bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

GRML Web Browsers for bar graphs
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)
Web Browsers (GRML)

With the planned development of new features, GRML finally becomes a complement to SQL. The upgrades do not include full support for SQL capabilities. However, as development continues, these missing features provide a clear path for future improvements.

Currently, the next versions of GRML are designed to support the following: grouping, joining, and sorting. The implementation of these capabilities is achieved by rearranging the tags in a file or web page. Instead of having to learn a new syntax or keyword commands to use these features, the tags contain the logical ordering and processing for content.

To sort, a new <sort name> tag is used. The name attribute is used to define the dimension used for sorting. The child tags determine the columns to be sorted, and their sort order. Likewise, a <group name> parent tag is used for grouping. The child tags determine the columns to use for grouping individual results.

These improvements are in development and are planned to be released in January, 2005. Not all features have full commitment and are dependent on their practical application to the markup language.

development path for GRML

Bar Graph MDI (bar graphs in web browsers)
Headlines MDI (GRML web browsers)
Pioneer Report MDI (GRML web browsers)
Tree MDI (GRML web browsers)

Shareware Junction Pioneer Report MDI (GRML web browsers)
Shareware Junction Bar Graph MDI (bar graphs, GRML web browsers)
Shareware Junction Headlines MDI (GRML web browsers)
Shareware Junction Tree MDI (GRML web browsers)

GRML Web Browsers Blog
Joe User GRML (web browsers)
Browsers Blog

Bar Graph MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited file and web browsers
Headlines MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited file and web browsers
Pioneer Report MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited file and web browsers
Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited file and web browsers
GRML web browsers

CSV and delimited files and web pages are useful when used with GRML. When recording business activity, it is necessary to organize different sets of data. However, the data is best used when organized in a single file. When it is necessary to split out the data and use it in a database or spreadsheet, it is not difficult to save the GRML using CSV or delimited files and web pages.

Unlike CSV and delimited files and web pages, GRML supports reordering of the header items. To change where a column appears in GRML web browsers, simply change the order of the column using the column parent tag. That is it.

Other limitations, of CSV and delimited files and web pages, are the inability to hide columns. In GRML, to hide a column, simply remove it from the column parent tag. When the file is read by GRML web browsers, the column is not displayed. One change to show an entire column or hide an entire column. That is all.

The next versions of GRML are designed to have support for grouping, linking, and also, joining. Instead of having to learn SQL to get its benefits, just arrange column items and special tags to get the same results from GRML files and web pages.

Overhead

When it comes to using a sleek, clean, and easy to parse format, XML is not the only choice. CSV and delimited formats use such minimal formatting, the file sizes are not much larger than the size of the actual data.

Try this. Take a web server log and save it using XML. Using the smallest tag ids possible, there is still a significant increase in size over the base format (some character-delimited format).

These articles discuss GRML (web browsers).

Introducing GRML (web browsers)

Understanding GRML (web browsers)

Introducing GRML (web browsers)

A new source

The development of a new blog is complete. It covers GRML and file and web browsers. All types of information is mixed in from articles on the web, production paths and descriptions, CSV and delimited formats, comments, and general thoughts.

This is the new GRML and file and web browsers blog.

The place for GRML

With HTML and all add-ons avaialble, it is not unreasonable to conclude the web has capacity to handle any type of data. Add to this, XML, and the argument for ceasing the development of another markup language becomes more compelling. However, the nature of technology is to move forward. Considering this, the question becomes, what more is there to do on the web?

The nature of computers in modern business is to store data and make it available for use, such as for analysis, reporting, and communication. HTML satisfies the last function well, namely communication. Analysis and reporting have not really been addressed with the technologies used on the web. Java tried to do this with applets. When was the last time a major website used an applet?

GRML attempts to solve the problem of analysis and reporting on the web without shoehorning something into an HTML web browser.

To see a GRML file and web browser in action, follow a few of the links below:

Download Bar Graph MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Soft Award Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Download Pipe Pioneer Report MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Sharewareville Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
File Guru Pioneer Report MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Soft Hypermarket Pioneer Report MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
File Light Pioneer Report MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
File Light Headlines MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
My Zips! Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Super Downloads! GRML, CSV, and delimited file and web browsers
File Boost Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Download Seeker Bar Graph MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers

Brothersoft Bar Graph MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers
Download-by Tree MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers

and for good measure...
Bar Graph MDI GRML, CSV, and delimited browsers

Finding GRML resources

It is a time consuming affair building a knowledge base for a new file format or markup language. Below are a couple more links for discovering General Reuse Markup Language (GRML).

GRML BlogDrive discusses general information about GRML, its direction, and lessons learned.

GRML Blogs List provides the most recent information on available blogs covering GRML.

Development and definition.

The next versions of GRML will focus on data handling. The tag structure appears to be as minimal as possible, considering their use in manipulating file and web page data. The only way to minimize the markup language any further is to adopt the delimited format. Either that, or lose features.

As a precursor to the next version upgrade of GRML, it is necessary to provide some basic definitions and descriptions for comparison and development purposes. With GRML 2.1, there have been 3 versions released. Only the 1.0 and 2.0 versions were formally recognized.

This is the location of the current GRML definition and history.

Another source is Introducing GRML (CSV and delimited file and web browsers).