Hi Steve,
Steve Litt wrote:
Thanks Oliver,
I still don't understand the underlying philosophy of layout modules:
0) What is a layout module?
From my (user) point of view, it is a small ".module" file in your
"layouts" folder containing class, styles, etc. But the developers might
answer that your questions better...
1) Why are they better than just writing your own layout file?
I think that's the question I can easily answer: I used LyX years ago to
write my PhD thesis. However, I do not know anything about LaTeX,
styles, etc. I just took some code from here and there and added them to
the preamble (a lot from the now defunct web site that contained many
LyX tricks before Wiki even existed). But I never did a layout file. To
me, that was (and still is) a too daunting task.
When I saw the wiki page on the new features, I jumped into the modules
provided with 1.6 and it took me very low time to write the two modules
I use. I think the advantage is that a less experienced user like me
prefers to add a given module than to touch the preamble, or to write a
layout file. Also, I suspect that debugging a trivial module that you
can turn on/off is probably easier than debugging a layout file.
There are also other advantages: you can add them, remove them, combine
several, have different versions, send them to someone, ... it's way
more flexible.
2) How do you decide when to use them?
When you want to add a functionality for some files only, not for all
(e.g. when I write some documents that do not require the erf/sinc
functions, then I do not add my math module). It's more flexible than
layout I guess.
Some of the provided modules implements FAQ stuff, like the one that
transforms footnotes to endnotes using the "let" command. LyX can now
provide such features in a few mouse clicks. I guess that's another
typical use for modules. That's what my math functions module do.
3) By what design methodology do you create them?
I have no methodology :-)
I just experiment until I am satisfied.
4) What are the attributes of a "good" layout module?
5) What are the attributes of a "bad" layout module?
Thanks
SteveT
Best regards,
Olivier
