WYSIWYM

Definition

• WYSIWYM is an alternative to WYSIWYG. The acronym refers to slightly different things depending on the context of use. Wikipedia, retrieved DSchneider

• WYSIWYM favors logical markup as opposed to purely graphical markup

• In applied computing, WYSIWYM means What You See Is What You Mean and according to the Wikipedia originally refers to the paradigm created for LyX (Latex editor). It means that the things displayed on a computer screen should accurately display the information that is trying to be conveyed rather than the actual formatting. The same principle applies to a certain kind of XML editors.

A WYSIWYM XML editor

According toSaqib Ali (retrieved 15:18, 29 October 2006 (MET)):

• A WYSIWYM XML editor accurately displays the information that is trying to be conveyed rather that the actual formatting.

Given the typical requirements for XML document authoring, that are:

1. Highlight syntax errors
2. Automatically complete XML Tags
3. Indent properly
4. Check for validity against an XML Schema or a DTD
5. Check for XML well-formedness
6. Allow viewing and editing of XML documents in a tree view, and
7. Fix the kitchen sink

What You See Is What You Mean is a paradigm that is related to the XML editors, which accurately display the information that is trying to be conveyed, rather than the actual formatting. Since XML doesn\u2019t define the actual formatting of the content, these editors are very useful in visually creating and managing the data. A WYSIWYM editor allows a document author to edit an XML document by interacting with a feedback text, generated by the editor. This presents both the knowledge already defined and the options (tags, elements, attributes, etc.) for extending and modifying it. Thus, a WYSIWYM XML editor alleviates the need for the document author to memorize all of the tags, elements and attributes of XML DTD or Schema. WYSIWYM XML editors are also known as semantical editors.

(Saqib Ali, retrieved 15:18, 29 October 2006 (MET))

References

Saqib Ali (2005), XML: WYSIWYG to WYSIWYM, A brief look at XML document authoring, Free Software Magazine, 3. HTML