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rewrite manpages in mdoc(7) #91

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Currently, the manpages of sndfile-tools are written using the legacy man(7) markup language.
I propose to rewrite them into the markup of mdoc(7), (like with libsndfile some years ago,
and sndfile-resample which has since been moved here).

As an example, here is a rewrite of sndfile-mix-to-mono, being the shortest of course :-)

The main advantage is that the mdoc(7) language, available for decades alongside man(7),
is semantical and describes the intent, as opposed the the low-level formatting of roff(7).
For example:

.Fl w Op Ar port

means there is a -w option which takes an optional 'port' argument; as opposed to

.BR -w [ =\fIport ]

which says switch to bold, type a hyphen and a 'w', then switch to italics, and type out 'port' in brackets.

Both languages are well supported since the eighties; nowadays, the prevalent formatters
are groff on the linuxes and mandoc on the BSDs and macOS.

Currently, the manpages of sndfile-tools
are written using the legacy man(7) markup language.
I propose to rewrite them into the markup of mdoc(7),
(like with libsndfile some years ago, and
sndfile-resample which has since been moved here).

As an example, here is a rewrite of sndfile-mix-to-mono,
being the shortest of course :-)

The main advantage is that the mdoc(7) language,
available for decades alongside man(7), is semantical
and describes the intent, as opposed the the low-level
formatting of roff(7). For example:

.Fl w Op Ar port

means there is a -w option which takes an optional 'port' argument;
as opposed to

.BR \-w [ =\fIport ]

which says switch to bold, type a hyphen and a 'w',
then switch to italics, and type out 'port' in brackets.

Both languages are well supported since the eighties;
nowadays, the prevalent formatters are groff on the linuxes
and mandoc on the BSDs and macOS.
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@evpobr , if you decide to merge, please don't close the PR just yet:
I will follow up with the other manpages.

@janstary janstary changed the title rewrite sndfile-mix-to-mono(1) in mdoc(7) rewrite manpages in mdoc(7) May 22, 2024
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janstary commented May 22, 2024

I have no system with JACK, so please someone test that the options of sndfile-jackplay
actualy do what the manpage says. My diff is merely a rewrite in a different markup languge.

janstary added 4 commits May 23, 2024 00:38
Just link to the homepage.
This one was a gem: help2man like it's the nineties.
While here, remove the note to not touch the manpage.
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janstary commented May 26, 2024

OK, it's done. Is there any interest in this?
Please let me know @erikd @martinwguy @SoapGentoo @evpobr @x42

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(I only added the copyright line because the pre-commit hook required it.)

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janstary commented Jun 2, 2024

Is there any interest in this please?
Even if not, please let me know.
The work is already done.

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