The use of macroprocessing for Web site standardization

• Published in: Journal of network and computer applications Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 135 - 148
• Main Authors: Charlton, C.C., Leng, P.H., Lloyd, R.K., Turnbull, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.04.1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface; Exact sciences and technology; Software; Software tool; Hypertext; Computer network; HTML language; Standardization; World wide web; Internet; Source language; Maintenance; Preprocessor; C language; Macroprocessing
• DOI: 10.1006/jnca.1998.0069
• ISSN: 1084-8045

As the development of the World Wide Web matures, there is increasing interest both in tools and languages for authoring, and in the issues of Web-site standardization, validation and maintenance. In this paper, we describe BHS (Better Hypertext System), a simple macrolanguage extension to HTML, implemented as a preprocessor. BHS can be used as an authoring language, enabling macros to be defined for describing commonly-used document features. Its particular value is that libraries of macros provide a means of defining stylistic and other standards for the presentation of pages within an integrated site. Use of standard macros promotes site uniformity and facilitates maintenance and updating. Examples are given of the use of BHS in the implementation of a software archive site, in which pages are generated automatically from database entries via BHS macros. We also discuss the role of BHS in relation to other current developments, especially that of XML.1998 Academic Press