Python's XML and Openoffice.org

[Chad Netzer]

On Thu, 2003-02-13 at 20:35, Wouter van Marle wrote:

> Major thing: how to go from XML to ps? And how about the graphics?

Well, OpenOffice itself goes from it's XML representation to postscript
(that is kind of the fundamental point).  Doing it separately, outside
of openoffice, is probably crazy, unless openoffice is structured as a
library that can do this.  (and believe me, it would probably be a HUGE
library, if the openoffice binary sizes are any indication.) :)

What you really should investigate is if openoffice is "scriptable"
(other terms might be 'macros'/'templates'/etc.) and if so, could you
make a script that could be used from within to do what you want.

BTW. just because openoffice uses XML, does not mean that any XML using
software understands anything amount openoffice files.  If you write a
program that operates on openoffice XML files, it won't then correctly
operate on Microsoft Word XML files (which may or may not exist; I have
no idea).  Each XML using application (essentially) creates its own
language; interoperability only occurs when multiple applications agree
to use the same XML language, but they do not have to. (nitpickers might
take issue with these words).

Whatever solution you come up with will be tied to specific
applications. (unless it just generates the cover page independently and
sticks it directly into the postscript file)

-- 
Bay Area Python Interest Group - http://www.baypiggies.net/

Chad Netzer
(any opinion expressed is my own and not NASA's or my employer's)