1 .. This document is *not* meant to be a model for good
2 reStructuredText usage. It is full of external hyperlinks, and
3 makes extensive use of anonymous hyperlink syntax, which is not
4 easy to follow from the source text. Please refer to the processed
5 HTML instead: http://docutils.sourceforge.net/index.html
7 ===================================
8 Docutils: Documentation Utilities
9 ===================================
10 ---------------------------------------------------------
11 Written in Python, for General- and Special-Purpose Use
12 ---------------------------------------------------------
16 The purpose of the Docutils project is to create a set of tools for
17 processing plaintext documentation into useful formats, such as HTML,
18 XML, and LaTeX. Includes reStructuredText_, the easy to read, easy to
19 use, what-you-see-is-what-you-get plaintext markup language. Several
20 sources are or will be supported:
22 - Standalone files (implemented).
23 - Inline documentation from Python modules and packages, extracted
24 with namespace context.
25 - `PEPs (Python Enhancement Proposals)`_ (implemented).
26 - And others as discovered.
28 Please consider donating to Docutils: |donate|
30 .. |donate| image:: http://images.sourceforge.net/images/project-support.jpg
31 :target: http://sourceforge.net/donate/index.php?group_id=38414
34 :alt: Support the Docutils project!
42 To get up & running quickly, see the Quick-Start_ section of the
45 .. _Quick-Start: README.html#quick-start
51 Please see the `Docutils Project Documentation Overview
58 To the developers of an open source project, feedback is a great
59 motivator and very welcome. We're working on Docutils in our own way,
60 pushing it along a more-or-less linear path that makes sense to us,
61 but may not necessarily be useful to everyone else. Community
62 feedback helps steer development in immediately useful directions.
64 In other words: if you tell us what you need, you may just get it! If
65 you really need something, please consider contributing_ to Docutils
68 Please post any feedback to the appropriate `mailing list`_.
70 .. _contributing: `Please Contribute!`_
76 The Docutils project began with the merging of the reStructuredText__
77 parser and the `Python Docstring Processing System`__ projects. The
78 merge has been completed, and those projects are now inactive.
80 __ http://structuredtext.sourceforge.net/
81 __ http://docstring.sourceforge.net/
83 Docutils currently consists of a reStructuredText_ parser, readers for
84 standalone files and PEPs_, and writers for HTML, LaTeX,
85 Docutils-native XML, plus pseudo-XML for testing purposes. Writers
86 for DocBook XML and PDF have been started, and a Python source reader
87 (docstring extraction with context) is also under way. There is a lot
88 of design and implementation work to do, which could greatly benefit
89 from a joint effort with existing projects. The project `To Do list`_
90 is brimming over with ideas.
92 Docutils is in active development and should be considered highly
93 experimental. We're learning as we go. APIs are subject to change at
100 - Python 2.2 or later [#py21]_ must already be installed to run the
101 code and the test suite. The latest release is recommended. Python
102 is available from http://www.python.org/.
104 - Docutils uses Greg Ward's Optik_/optparse option processing package.
105 It is included in the Docutils distribution.
107 - The `Python Imaging Library`, or PIL, is used for some image
108 manipulation operations if it is installed.
110 .. [#py21] Python 2.1 may be used providing the compiler package is
111 installed. The compiler package can be found in the Tools/
112 directory of Python's source distribution.
114 .. _Optik: http://optik.sourceforge.net/
115 .. _Python Imaging Library: http://www.pythonware.com/products/pil/
121 Development Snapshots
122 ---------------------
124 Development snapshots of the project files are available as .tgz
125 tarballs. They are generated automatically from CVS, usually within
126 an hour of a change being checked in. The snapshots are highly
127 recommended over the "official" releases, as they contain the latest
128 features and bug fixes. However, they may contain transient bugs or
131 - `Snapshot of Docutils code, tests, documentation, and
133 - `Snapshot of the Sandbox`__ (experimental, contributed code; see
134 `The Sandbox`_ below for details)
135 - `Snapshot of DocFactory project files`__ (this is a subset of the
136 Sandbox snapshot above; you don't need both)
137 - `Snapshot of web files`__ (the files that generate this web site)
139 __ http://docutils.sourceforge.net/docutils-snapshot.tgz
140 __ http://docutils.sourceforge.net/docutils-sandbox-snapshot.tgz
141 __ http://docutils.sourceforge.net/docfactory-snapshot.tgz
142 __ http://docutils.sourceforge.net/docutils-web-snapshot.tgz
144 `Anonymous CVS access`_ is available. You can also `browse the CVS
145 repository`_ and read the latest README_, HISTORY_, COPYING_, FAQ_ and
152 The `latest project release package`_ (Docutils 0.3.5, 2004-07-29) and
153 past project releases can be downloaded from the `project files
154 page`_. This release fixes many bugs, adds some features, and is
155 highly recommended over prior versions.
157 Major changes since Docutils 0.3.3:
159 * improved, extended and reorganized documentation_
160 * new csv-table_ directive
161 * many minor improvements, additions and bug fixes
163 For a more detailed list of changes, read the `HISTORY of Docutils
166 Thanks to Felix Wiemann for putting together this release!
168 .. _documentation: docs/index.html
169 .. _csv-table: docs/ref/rst/directives.html#csv-table
170 .. __: 0.3.5/HISTORY.html
178 Users who have questions or need assistance with Docutils or
179 reStructuredText should first check the `Docutils FAQ`_. If the
180 question or problem is not answered there, please `post a message`__
181 to the `Docutils-users mailing list`__ [#docutils-users]_.
183 Developers can keep up to date and help out by joining the mailing
186 High-level discussions take place on the `Python Documentation Special
187 Interest Group (Doc-SIG) mailing list`__ (email to
190 Two lists have been set up specifically for developers of the Docutils
193 - Docutils-develop__, for implementation discussions
194 (email to docutils-develop@lists.sourceforge.net).
195 - Docutils-checkins__, to monitor CVS checkin messages (automatically
196 generated; normally read-only).
198 The Doc-SIG_ has greater exposure and is therefore a better forum for
199 general discussions (such as reStructuredText syntax or the high-level
200 Docutils project model), whereas the Docutils-specific lists are more
201 focused on the implementation.
203 You can also access read-only archives of the mailing lists via Gmane:
204 Docutils-users__, Docutils-develop__, Docutils-checkins__ and
207 .. [#docutils-users] Due to overwhelming amounts of spam, the
208 docutils-users@lists.sourceforge.net mailing list has been set up
209 for subscriber posting only. Non-subscribers who post to
210 docutils-users will receive a message with "Subject: Your message
211 to Docutils-users awaits moderator approval". Legitimate messages
212 are accepted and posted as soon as possible (a list administrator
213 must verify the message manually). If you'd like to subscribe to
214 docutils-users, please visit
215 <http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/docutils-users>.
218 .. _Docutils FAQ: FAQ.html
219 __ mailto:docutils-users@lists.sourceforge.net
220 __ http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/docutils-users
221 __ http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/doc-sig
222 __ http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/docutils-develop
223 __ http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/docutils-checkins
224 __ http://news.gmane.org/gmane.text.docutils.user
225 __ http://news.gmane.org/gmane.text.docutils.devel
226 __ http://news.gmane.org/gmane.text.docutils.cvs
227 __ http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.documentation
233 The Sandbox__ is a place to play around, to try out and share ideas.
234 It's a part of the CVS repository but it isn't distributed as part of
235 Docutils releases (you can get a recent tarball from the `development
236 snapshots`_). Each developer who wants to play in it should create
237 their own subdirectory (suggested name: SourceForge ID, or given name
240 Please feel free to `visit the sandbox`__.
242 It's OK to make a mess in the Sandbox! But please, play nice.
251 Anyone is welcome to contribute to any of these projects. Interested
252 developers are welcome to take on any projects which appear to be
253 dormant. Please direct any email to
254 docutils-develop@lists.sourceforge.net.
256 * ZReST_, by Richard Jones, is a "ReStructuredText Document for Zope"
257 application that is complete and ready to install.
259 * PySource_, by Tony Ibbs, is an experimental Python source Reader.
260 In some form, it will soon become part of core Docutils. There is
261 some related code in David Goodger's sandbox (pysource_reader_) and
262 a `Python Source Reader <docs/dev/pysource.html>`__ document.
264 * Docutils interface to PythonPoint_, also by Richard Jones, produces
265 PDF presentations using ReportLabs.
267 * Engelbert Gruber has begun `LaTeX Writer`_ and `ManPage Writer`_ components.
269 * ? has taken over `ReportLabs/PDF Writer`_ components.
271 * Oliver Rutherfurd has begun a `DocBook Writer`_ component and
272 `HT2HTML integration`_ component.
274 * Gunnar Schwant's DocFactory_ is a wxPython GUI application for
277 * Aahz has begun an `OpenOffice.org Writer`_.
279 * Ian Bicking is working on code for a Wiki_.
281 * Bill Bumgarner has written a `simple HTML writer`_ that doesn't rely
282 on CSS (stylesheets).
284 * Beni Cherniavsky has written a generic `preprocessing module`_ for
285 roles and/or directives and built preprocessors for TeX math for
286 both LaTeX and HTML output on top of it.
288 * Beni Cherniavsky maintains a Makefile_ for driving Docutils, hoping
289 to handle everything one might do with docutils.
291 .. _ZReST: sandbox/richard/ZReST/
292 .. _PySource: sandbox/tibs/pysource/
293 .. _pysource_reader: sandbox/davidg/pysource_reader/
294 .. _PythonPoint: sandbox/richard/pythonpoint/
295 .. _LaTeX Writer: sandbox/grubert/latex/
296 .. _Manpage Writer: sandbox/grubert/man/
297 .. _ReportLabs/PDF Writer: sandbox/dreamcatcher/rlpdf/
298 .. _DocBook Writer: sandbox/oliverr/docbook/
299 .. _HT2HTML integration: sandbox/oliverr/ht/
300 .. _DocFactory: sandbox/gschwant/docfactory/doc/
301 .. _OpenOffice.org Writer: sandbox/aahz/OO/
302 .. _Wiki: sandbox/ianb/wiki/
303 .. _simple HTML writer: sandbox/bbum/DocArticle/
304 .. _preprocessing module: sandbox/cben/rolehack/
305 .. _Makefile: sandbox/cben/make/
311 Please help this project succeed by contributing. We're looking for
312 all kinds of contributions: testing, ideas, code, bug reports,
313 administration, tasty snacks, computer equipment, and large sums of
314 money. There's a `To Do list`_ full of interesting ideas awaiting a
315 champion. If you're interested in participating in any way, please
316 `contact the project coordinator`__.
318 Please consider donating to Docutils: |donate|
326 - `Project Summary page`__: `released files`__, `bug reports`__,
327 patches__, `mailing lists`__, and news__.
328 - `Docutils CVS repository`__
329 - Project coordinator and architect: `David Goodger`_
330 - Please direct discussions to the `Python Documentation Special
331 Interest Group (Doc-SIG)`__: doc-sig@python.org.
332 - Powered by |Python|__
333 - Hosted by |SourceForge|__
335 __ http://sourceforge.net/projects/docutils/
336 __ `project files page`_
337 __ http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=38414&atid=422030
338 __ http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=38414&atid=422032
339 __ http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=38414
340 __ http://sourceforge.net/news/?group_id=38414
346 __ http://www.python.org/
347 .. |Python| image:: PyBanner016.png
350 __ http://sourceforge.net/
351 .. |SourceForge| image::
352 http://sourceforge.net/sflogo.php?group_id=38414
353 :alt: SourceForge Logo
356 .. _reStructuredText: rst.html
357 .. _project files page:
358 http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=38414
359 .. _Anonymous CVS access: http://sourceforge.net/cvs/?group_id=38414
361 .. _browse the CVS repository:
362 http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/docutils/
363 .. _To Do list: docs/dev/todo.html
364 .. _README: README.html
365 .. _HISTORY: HISTORY.html
366 .. _COPYING: COPYING.html
369 .. _David Goodger: mailto:goodger@users.sourceforge.net
370 .. _Doc-SIG: http://www.python.org/sigs/doc-sig/
373 .. _PEPs (Python Enhancement Proposals): http://www.python.org/peps/
375 .. _latest project release package:
376 http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/docutils/docutils-0.3.5.tar.gz?download
382 indent-tabs-mode: nil
383 sentence-end-double-space: t