WYSIWYM

Definition[edit | edit source]

WYSIWYM is an alternative to WYSIWYG. The acronym refers to slightly different things depending on the context of use. (Wikipedia, retrieved 15:28, 29 October 2006 (MET)).

In text editing and applied computing

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.

In Interface Design

WYSIWYM means What You See Is What You Meant. Feedback text presented to the user (What You See) reveals the knowledge that has been encoded during the interaction so far (What You Meant). (Richard Power, retrieved 15:28, 29 October 2006 (MET))

WYSIWYM XML editors[edit | edit source]

According to Saqib Ali (retrieved 15:28, 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, these are:

Highlight syntax errors
Automatically complete XML Tags
Indent properly
Check for validity against an XML Schema or a DTD
Check for XML well-formedness
Allow viewing and editing of XML documents in a tree view, and
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't 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 15:28, 29 October 2006 (MET))

References[edit | edit source]

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

Bayne Duncan (2004). Lyx - WYSIWYM Document Processing, Kuro5hin HTML.