On Fri, 9 Nov 2001, Jack Campin wrote:
> > This is what I thought I'd do:
> >1) study other notation languages carefully to see their approach and
> > priorities;
> >2) if a feature is implemented by other notation languages (M-Tx, MUP,
> > Lilypond, CMN, etc) and is desirable, then steal that feature using
> > an ABC-compatible syntax;
>
> No. ABC is a *notation* not a "notation language". You can't just add
> features because they do fun things with machines that generate pixels
> on paper, regardless of what they mean in terms of sound. Any new
> feature must take implementability on a player program into account.
ab-so-lu-te-ly!
While I don't see the big difference between the terms "notation" and
"notation language", don't worry: I'm thinking very high level, and I'm not
going to specify anything in terms of "printed" vs. "played".
> >3) if a feature has already been implemented by one or more applications,
> > then give precedence to that particular implementation rather than
> > reinventing a nicer but theoretical wheel;
>
> Only if that feature isn't so specific to that implementation's rationale
> or architecture that it would cause major headaches for fundamentally
> different implementations.
sure.
> >4) if a feature is desirable but unimplemented by any ABC application,
> > tough: insert it in the draft anyway.
>
> I think these need to be fenced off into a separate part of the document.
good suggestion, I will.
> I would add:
>
> 5) Every proposed feature must be given a clear semantics directly in
> terms of audible phenomena or the mechanics of performance.
>
> That is, *no* new features of the "let's add this cute squiggle" variety.
I'll need your help here. I'll state clearly what my musical background is,
and what the fields are where I need other people's contributions.
Later,
Guido =8-)
--
Guido Gonzato, Ph.D. <gonzato at sci . univr . it> - Linux system manager
Universita' di Verona (Italy), Facolta' di Scienze MM. FF. NN.
Ca' Vignal II, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona (Italy)
Tel. +39 045 8027990; Fax +39 045 8027958 --- Timeas hominem unius libri
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