Re: Context sensitivity and help produced from XML

[Sean Wheller <seanwhe -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

--- Faith Weber - ESC <faithw -at- esystem -dot- com> wrote:
> -Are any of you using XML to produce HTML-based help
> for a Web-based application?

I use it for output to the following formats: PS, RTF,
PDF, HTML, HTML based help (CHM), JavaHelp, MANPAGES.
Try to see XML as just a neutral storage format on
which you can run XSL stylesheets to produce the above
mentioned formats.

> 
> -Is the end product of HTML-based help produced via
> XML still essentially a set of HTM files (plus
> framesets and navigation), or is it a set of XML
> files?

If you use an XSL for HTML it will give you HTM pages.
If you use an XSL for HTML-based help it will give you
a CHM. Note that CHM is just another HTML application.
The HTM pages are just compiled into a file format
that can be read by the Windows Help Engine of today.

> 
> -Was context sensitivity in place before you moved
to
> XML? If so, were there
> any issues with the transition on the development
> side, such as having to
> recode context sensitive links?

Yes, but did not make any difference. It is good
practice to use a map file. Help Topic Numbers are
listed in the file and the application just calls the
Help Engine + Help Document + Topic Number. You can go
two ways:
1. Change the topic numbers in the program.
2. Change the topic numbers in the help.

HTH,

Sean Wheller

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