Escaping in gemtext
mbays at sdf.org
mbays at sdf.org
Tue Nov 10 16:17:29 GMT 2020
Here's a possible solution to the problem of escapes which I don't think
has been mentioned.
Currently each of the line types is introduced by a 1-3 char prefix with
two exceptions: the default text line type, and the preformatted line
type. We can deal with the escaping problem by adding prefixes for these
too. So there's a sense in which this actually makes gemtext *simpler*,
more regular, even as it adds more notation. As a nice side-effect, it
also lets one- and two-liner preformatted blocks take less vertical
space.
The prefix for text line could be just a backslash, roughly in line with
the suggestion elsewhere in this thread. Examples:
\#Bold# text is sometimes denoted this way.
\=> HELLO! <=
\* is the multiplication operator
\\n refers to the newline character.
\This is just an ordinary text line, the initial backslash is ignored.
And for preformatted lines, it could e.g. be "`` ":
`` $ make install
`` ``` rain
`` ``` drops
`` `` ... '' she replied, speechless.
That leaves the problem (if we're to be completist) of associating
alt-text to a sequence of preformatted lines using this notation. We
could say that such a sequence immediately following a preformatted
block using "```" is considered part of the block:
``` rain drops
```
`` ```
`` ```
Alternatively (neater?) we could consider "`` " as magic even when it's
within a preformatted block:
``` rain drops
`` ```
`` ```
```
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