On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 6:18 AM, Michael Richardson <[email protected]>wrote:
>
> >>>>> "Chris" == Chris Travers <[email protected]> writes:
> Chris> I am wondering what folks think about moving from LaTeX
> Chris> templates per se to LaTeX document classes and packages, with
> Chris> a lot less micromanagement of layout in the template itself.
> Chris> The idea is that we could provide a good LaTeX development
> Chris> environment rather than some sample documents. The LaTeX
> Chris> document classes might even be things that could be pushed
> Chris> into TeXLive, thus getting more exposure and wider use.
>
> please tell me more about what this means.
> Does this mean that I could test templates outside of LedgerSMB?
>
It would mean that most of the template logic would be broken off into
blocks that could be used outside of LedgerSMB, for other invoices on other
programs, etc. This would create a common interface in terms of what an
invoice expects in various parts (invoice header, line items, etc)
For example, consider how the checks work right now. Right now the check
templates are very much "roll your own." However there is common
information that checks all have on them, like dates, amounts, text
amounts, and the like. Check stub information may similarly have some
specific information in it. This would allow you to create a template,
and the template could be edited/run outside of LedgerSMB much better than
is currently done now. But on top of that anyone else in the world who
needs to print checks could consider using our document classes as a
starting point.
Imagine being able to test your template by creating a file that looks like
this:
\documentclass[a4paper]{lsmbcheck}
\usepackage{checktemplate1234}
\setlength{\xoffset}{0.5in}
\setlength{\yoffset}{0.5in}
\renewcommand{\amountnumber}{1000.00}
\renewcommand{\amounttext}{One Thousand and 00/100}
\renewcommand{\date}{2/12/2012}
\renewcommand{\payee}{Office Supply Store, Inc.}
\renewcommand{\memo}{Office Supplies}
\renewcommand{\checknumber}{00000}
\begin{document}
\printcheck
\end{document}
Now of course if you want to change your look and feel you could write your
own checktemplate1234.sty (or similar) or you could override functions. In
other words, the checks would be broken down into three pieces:
lsmbcheck.cls would have the paper set up, the basic document definitions,
some defaults, and the like.
checktemplate1234.sty would have commands that would actually lay out a
given page
and the check.tex from LedgerSMB would just be an interface file with an
ability to shift things around the paper a little bit to accommodate
different printers/drivers/etc. Because this file would be minimal, it
would be really easy to create a dummy file with sample data for testing
alignment, etc.
The overall codebase would initially get larger, but longer-run we might be
able to push a lot of the templates and document classes into TexLive once
the interfaces are very stable.
Best Wishes,
Chris Travers
>
> Chris> If other projects use our work this increases the likelihood
> Chris> that we can expand our exposure to the market generally, and
> Chris> may get help in this area from others as well.
>
> that's seems like a good thing.
>
> --
> ] He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life! |
> firewalls [
> ] Michael Richardson, Sandelman Software Works, Ottawa, ON |net
> architect[
> ] [email protected] http://www.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca/ |device
> driver[
> Kyoto Plus: watch the video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzx1ycLXQSE
> >
> then sign the petition.
>
>
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