Re: [Groff] confused by soelim

[Werner LEMBERG]

A long time ago Tadziu and Robert wrote the following to the groff
mailing list about soelim:

> > Here's the normal processing sequence:
> >
> >     input        sourced
> >     file          file
> >       |             |
> >       v             v
> >   preprocessor -> troff -> postprocessor
> >                                 |
> >                                 v
> >                               output
> >                                file
> >
> > That is, files sourced with ".so" are normally read *only* by
> > troff (the actual formatter).  soelim is *not* required for
> > troff to source files.
> >
> > If a file to be sourced should also be preprocessed, it must
> > already be read *before* the input file passes through the
> > preprocessor.  This is handled by soelim:
> >
> >    input
> >    file
> >      |
> >      v
> >    soelim -> preprocessor -> troff -> postprocessor
> >      ^                                     |
> >      |                                     v
> >   sourced                                output
> >    file                                   file
> >
> >
> 
> Dear Tadziu - thank you very much for the excellent and clear
> explanation.  Could this be incorporated into, say, man soelim or
> the info file, with diagrams and all?

I've added this to the soelim man page, together with real pic images.
Thanks!


    Werner