On 12-08-29 01:20, Behdad Esfahbod wrote: > I agree. But that's not the primary goal of HarfBuzz, and distracts us > from the main goals. I'll see what I can do. I believe with such an ultra-verbose output, complex-script font developers (even of proprietary ones) would be compelled to run the tool using the "ot" and "uniscribe" backend, and report inconsistencies -- which would, after all, help HarfBuzz as well.
In a way, what I'm proposing is not at all contrary to the comprehensive testing effort. And since Uniscribe is probably as much a matching matching target as the Pango shapers are, this could be very useful. You'd have a chance to tap at developers of high-end complex script fonts such as, say, Tiro Typeworks. You give them a useful tool, they give you useful feedback which helps improve your product. Mostly, their primary deployment target is Uniscribe, so they won't spend their time testing HarfBuzz *unless* you provide them with something that doesn't exist yet. Such a tool doesn't, and HarfBuzz is the perfect place to do such a job. As I mentioned earlier, I don't insist exactly on the XML syntax I proposed. It does pretty much exemplify in quite some detail what I think would be very useful, though. Oh, BTW, the whole "processing" part could be optional. For some scenarios, just the input and output, but with exact information, would be of great use. I believe that a very good way to test implementations of layout engines is to collaborate with implementors of fonts (especially: complex fonts) which run on such layout engines. There won't be many users of the functionality I'm proposing, but the ones who will use it will be of very high value for the development of HarfBuzz, I believe. I don't develop fonts myself, so I don't actually really have a stake in this. But I know from conversations with people who do develop complex fonts that this functionality is of great potential value for them. BTW, if some financing would be needed so you could find a developer who would do this, please let me know and I think I'll be able to gather something. Best, Adam -- May success attend your efforts, -- Adam Twardoch (Remove "list." from e-mail address to contact me directly.) _______________________________________________ HarfBuzz mailing list [email protected] http://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/harfbuzz
