Agreed, I plugged -ms because after trying other stuff, I came back to -ms. Haven't tried mom, I'm retired, but I hear good things.
But your point that this is pure troff is spot on. No macro package required. On Fri, Dec 15, 2023 at 01:33:42PM +1100, Robert Thorsby wrote: > On 15/12/23 12:44, Larry McVoy wrote: > >Here's the intro at the top of the -ms doc: > ><lots of good stuff snipped> > > It may be worth noting that you do not need to use the ms macro package or > any macro package at all (apart from the built-in macros, of course). > > I usually create a defined string (.ds) or number register (.nr) somewhere > very close to the top of the input file. Then, before the substantive > document starts you use Larry's idea to list the various parameters. > > .ds Answers marker > ... > .ie '\^[Answers]'marker' \{\ > . etc etc etc > . \} > . el \{\ > . etc etc etc > . \} > [you can nest conditionals till the cows come home and you don't need double > backslashes] > Also defined strings (.ds) is very powerful and worth reading the man/info > pahes. > ... > .\" Start of substantive document. > ... > [provide your alternatives based on the value of "\*[Answers]"] > you may have to use ".nop" if you need indenting to save your sanity. > you can use loops as well. > > My 2 cents to an interesting discussion. > > Robert Thorsby -- --- Larry McVoy Retired to fishing http://www.mcvoy.com/lm/boat