Re: [O] Formal description of Org files

[Gustav Wikström]

Hi again list.

There was a discussion many years back about a formal description of
Org files [1]. In some way that might be achieved now in org-elements,
but that still is heavily bound to elisp.

So my question is; have there been more discussions of constructing
such a formal grammar? Maybe in EBNF form. I suspect getting every
aspect of Org mode into such a description would be difficult. But
imagine the possibilities. Tools such as ANTLR and similar would
straight away have a way of parsing Org mode. Org mode source files
could be parsed in many other languages, simplifying the process of
expanding Org mode to other platforms ( Android & iOS, web ).

Further rant; To me Org mode should be less about Emacs and more about
the source file format. Let Emacs be the main carrier, but let Org
mode also expand into other domains. One way to simplify this might be
to provide the formal description so that other tools might be easier
to develop based on this grammar.

(For me, the biggest limitation of Org mode is lacking tools to
utilize it on the run. The aim of this is thus to feed thoughts on how
to simplify processes that can expand Org mode into those "more
mobile" domains).

Best regards
Gustav

[1] http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-orgmode/2011-07/msg01282.html

> Hi Jambunathan,
>
> Jambunathan K <address@hidden> writes:
>
> > A simple worg page that "collects" the low hanging fruits to begin
> > with will be a good but firm first step in this direction.
>
> Indeed.
>
> It's on my todo list, but not with a high priority for now.
>
> If you feel like starting it, please go ahead!
>
> --
>  Bastien