16.1. The refdbnd shell script

This script should be the first choice for novices to create new SGML or XML documents for use with refdb. If called without arguments, the script runs in an interactive mode and collects a few answers about the new document. Based on these answers it will create a skeleton document and a custom-tailored Makefile that performs all necessary steps to create formatted output from the document.

Alternatively you can call this script from a directory that contains an existing SGML or XML file. Pass the full name to the script when it asks for a filename, and the script will try to guess some of the settings from the existing file.

The script can create the following document types:

The skeleton documents created by the script contain the appropriate prolog for the selected document type. The only extension is the declaration of an external entity in the internal subset which is required to include the bibliography.

To run the script in interactive mode, simply type the following command in an empty directory:

refdbnd

If you get bored by the verbose explanations you can specify all required arguments on the command line instead:

refdbnd {basename} {doctype} {pubtype} {database} {style} {encoding} {css-file}

The script will create two files in your current working directory:

The Makefile is set up to process your document properly depending on its type. See the section about the refdbnd shortcut for a list of available targets.