Integrating FrameMaker with LINCKS

We are interested in "plugging" FrameMaker on top of our object-centered database LINCKS, which was released for ftp in autumn 1993. Because of the complexity of LINCKS and FrameMaker, it is far too much work for one person to understand both of them. Thus, this degree project is meant for two students working together. We would like to have one student working on the LINCKS part and the second working with Frame's Developer's Kit.

What is LINCKS?

Why FrameMaker?

As glanced from the description above, we are currently using our own editor, xlincks, running under X11. The editor widget is set up to look like emacs with extensions to allow structure editing of the views (documents).

To gain a more widespread usage of LINCKS and broaden the possible audience, we would like to replace the current X11 editor or the presentation layer of xlincks with FrameMaker. A second goal is to gain more knowledge about the dependencies between the presentation layer and an external editor. Notice that any document edited in FrameMaker should also be editable in the current editor xlincks, i.e. any additional information needed by FrameMaker should be independent of the raw textual contents.

And how would we accomplish this?

1. In LINCKS, we have what roughly corresponds to a FrameMaker document template, i.e. we will be doing a mapping between templates in LINCKS and in FrameMaker.
2. We have the Frame Developer's Kit available which allow us to completely control a running FrameMaker from an external application.
3. We are working on separating the X11 code from the presentation layer in xlincks. When this separation is done, it is should be a rather simple job to plug any other browser or editor on top of LINCKS.
4. We have been working on a WWW gateway to a LINCKS database, which partly overlaps with the LINCKS work described here and from which parts probably will borrowed.

FrameMaker

You need to gain an understanding of the FrameMaker API (Application Program Interface) and its different objects (it is object oriented) and how to control a running FrameMaker. Also, you need to work out what information will be needed from the LINCKS system.

You need to have some experience in using FrameMaker or at least it would speed up your progress. Some experience with 'C' would also be nice.

LINCKS

You will be continuing the work began with the LINCKS-2-WWW Gateway and abstracting out the X11 dependents parts in xlincks. You will be defining the library interface used by the current X11 code and the FrameMaker code.

Being used to programming in C and some experience with X11 is an advantage in unraveling xlincks' code, but we do not expect a problem otherwise.

Environment etc

Since LINCKS is written in C, you will be probably using C. If we have our extension language, tcl or python, you will be probably using a mixture of C and the extension language. If not, then it will just be 'C' Our development environment is Sun, running SunOS 4.1.3, using the X11 window system, but LINCKS is available on most Unix platforms (including linux).

Also, see the related projects emacs, WWW Gateway and NFS Interface, which all share a common ground.

Last words

Of course, the border line between the two parts is not fixed - it is open to discussions. For more information and discussion, please contact Martin Sjölin, E++ Bv 129, phone: 013/28 24 10 or mail to marsj@ida.liu.se