ISO 8879-1986 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 8879:1986 — Information processing — Text and office systems — Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). This international standard defines SGML, a meta-language for specifying markup languages used to describe the structure and content of documents independent of display or processing systems.

Abstract

ISO 8879:1986 specifies the syntax, declarations and processing rules for the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). It provides the formal framework for defining document type definitions (DTDs), element and attribute declarations, entity handling, and conformance requirements for SGML applications. SGML was created to support interchange, archival and publishing of complex structured documents across diverse systems.

General information

• Status: Published (legacy / foundational standard)
• Publication date: 1986
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: Information technology / text and office systems (ICS 35 — Information technology)
• Edition / version: 1st edition (1986)
• Number of pages: Approx. 70 pages (varies by printed edition)

Scope

This standard defines the SGML meta-language used to describe the logical structure and content of electronic documents. It covers the SGML declaration, the concrete and abstract syntaxes, rules for document type definitions (DTDs), entity and notation declarations, SGML processing and conformance classes. The scope includes guidance for representing a wide range of text and office documents for interchange, publishing and long-term preservation.

Key topics and requirements

• Formal definition of SGML syntax and grammar (tags, delimiters, minimization rules)
• SGML declaration and declaration parameters that control processing behavior
• Document Type Definitions (DTDs) for defining element types, content models and attributes
• Entity and notation declaration and resolution mechanisms
• Conformance classes and requirements for SGML processors and applications
• Character data handling, markup nesting, and validation rules
• Recommendations for interchange and archival of structured text

Typical use and users

SGML is used by document architects, publishers, libraries and archives, technical documentation groups, standards organizations and software developers who need rigorous, system-independent document structure. Typical users include book and journal publishers, large technical-documentation teams, archival institutions, and vendors building document management or publishing systems. In practice many modern users employ XML or SGML-derived formats, but SGML remains important historically and for legacy document sets.

Related standards

Standards and specifications related to SGML include application profiles and sector-specific SGML standards, later markup technologies influenced by SGML (for example XML and various SGML application standards for publishing), and ISO standards addressing text/office systems and interchange. ISO 8879 is often referenced in historical and migration contexts when converting legacy SGML content to XML or other formats.

Keywords

SGML, ISO 8879, markup language, DTD, document type definition, entity, element, declaration, validation, structured documents, information processing, publishing, archival

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8879:1986 is the international standard that formally defines the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), a meta-language for describing the structure and content of electronic documents.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers SGML syntax and grammar, the SGML declaration, document type definitions (DTDs), entity and notation declarations, conformance requirements for SGML processors, and rules for representing structured text for interchange and archiving.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Publishers, documentation teams, archives, standards bodies and developers working with complex structured documents or maintaining legacy SGML content typically use or reference this standard.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 8879 is a foundational and legacy standard. In practical use many organizations have moved to XML and other modern formats, but ISO 8879 remains the defining specification for SGML and is referenced for legacy implementations and migrations.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 8879 stands on its own as the SGML specification, though it is related conceptually and historically to other standards and application profiles that build on SGML concepts and to later markup technologies influenced by SGML.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: SGML, DTD, markup, element, entity, declaration, validation, structured documents, publishing, archival.