Troff
(Created page with "{{FormatInfo |name=troff |formattype=electronic |thiscat=Document |extensions={{ext|tmac}}, {{ext|man}}, {{ext|mom}}, {{ext|ms}}, many others |released=~1976 }} '''troff''' is...") |
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== Macro packages == | == Macro packages == | ||
| − | The troff format is usually not used directly; instead, troff files make use of one of the many available macro packages. | + | The troff format is usually not used directly; instead, troff files make use of one of the many available macro packages. Macro packages for the groff version of troff may be installed at <code>/usr/share/groff/*/*.tmac</code>. |
troff and related utilities usually accept a <code>-m</code> option, to use a macro package. Some macro packages are deliberately given a name that begins with the letter "m", while their internal name has the "m" stripped off. For example, the <code>-man</code> option will read a macro package known as "man", but ''really'' named "an" (the macros would be in a file named "an.tmac"). Apparently, the theory is that <code>-man</code> looks better than the more logical <code>-mman</code> (though the packages often have aliases, so <code>-mman</code> might work as well). | troff and related utilities usually accept a <code>-m</code> option, to use a macro package. Some macro packages are deliberately given a name that begins with the letter "m", while their internal name has the "m" stripped off. For example, the <code>-man</code> option will read a macro package known as "man", but ''really'' named "an" (the macros would be in a file named "an.tmac"). Apparently, the theory is that <code>-man</code> looks better than the more logical <code>-mman</code> (though the packages often have aliases, so <code>-mman</code> might work as well). | ||
| − | A troff file's filename extension may suggest what macro package to use. | + | A troff file's filename extension may suggest what macro package to use. Supposedly there is a way to indicate this in the content of the file, but for some reason this feature is not always used. |
== Software == | == Software == | ||
| − | * [http://www.gnu.org/software/groff/ GNU troff (groff) | + | * [http://www.gnu.org/software/groff/ GNU troff (groff)] |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 00:39, 7 August 2014
troff is a typesetting utility and associated document format, used mainly on Unix-based systems. Its most common use is to render man pages, but it is capable of much more.
troff is part of a confusing universe of software packages, utilities, and formats with names like troff, nroff, roff, groff, ditroff, TYPSET, and RUNOFF (and some of these names have multiple meanings).
Currently, the most widely-used version of the troff software is groff (GNU troff). Note that the groff software includes utilities named both "groff" and "troff" (as well as "nroff"), which have different functions.
Contents |
Macro packages
The troff format is usually not used directly; instead, troff files make use of one of the many available macro packages. Macro packages for the groff version of troff may be installed at /usr/share/groff/*/*.tmac.
troff and related utilities usually accept a -m option, to use a macro package. Some macro packages are deliberately given a name that begins with the letter "m", while their internal name has the "m" stripped off. For example, the -man option will read a macro package known as "man", but really named "an" (the macros would be in a file named "an.tmac"). Apparently, the theory is that -man looks better than the more logical -mman (though the packages often have aliases, so -mman might work as well).
A troff file's filename extension may suggest what macro package to use. Supposedly there is a way to indicate this in the content of the file, but for some reason this feature is not always used.
Software
See also
- man page (troff format with the "man" macro package)
