5 Replies Latest reply: Nov 14, 2013 9:18 AM by mattrsullivan RSS

    Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker

    AMCGracer Community Member
    AMCGracer Nov 13, 2013 1:59 PM

      I have a complex document set with multiple conditions to support brand and output, and now I want to add roles.

       

      Prior to the roles, I had it set up with the following conditions:

      • BrandA
      • BrandB
      • Help
      • PDF
      • BrandA Help
      • BrandA PDF
      • BrandB Help
      • BrandB PDF

      etc.

       

      When I build my documents, I would just use the Show/Hide functionality and come up with something like:

      Show: Brand A, PDF, BrandA PDF

       

      This worked OK, but has been getting more complex as I have now added two more brands.

       

      Now the business wants to add Roles... for example "Read Only" and "Update"

      I know I can set up additional conditions for the roles, and then append those roles to each of the above conditions as well, but this number of conditions is really starting to get unmanageable.

       

      I was wondering if I could cut down the number of conditions and use complex Boolean Expressions to represent what I need.

       

      So I'd have something like:

      (("BrandA" and "PDF") or "BrandA" or "PDF")

       

      This would give me the same result as my previous

      "BrandA PDF" or "BrandA" or "PDF"

       

      But allows me to significantly decrease the number of conditions that I need to achieve it. It just means that I have to add multiple tags to some text.

       

      It would then allow me to just add just two conditions for my roles, and I can build the expressions as needed:

      (("BrandA" and "PDF" and "Read Only") or "Read Only" or "BrandA" or "PDF" or ("BrandA" and "PDF") or ("BrandA" and "Read Only") or ("PDF" and "Read Only"))

       

      I know the expression is a monstrosity, but it keeps the number of conditions down.

       

      Is this possible? (I can't get it to work.)

      If not, do you have any other ideas for managing Brand, Output, and Role effectively?

       

      Thanks for any advice!

        • 1. Re: Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker
          Russ Ward Community Member
          Russ Ward Nov 14, 2013 4:40 AM (in response to AMCGracer)

          Hi AMCGracer,

           

          I would never dream of trying to use native conditional text for this... I would use structured FM, attribute values, and the AXCM plugin. Of course I would, though, since I wrote the plugin (disclaimer). Anyway, you are bumping in to the classic limitations of unstructured content... there just isn't enough intelligent markup to do the type thing you want. BTW, AXCM is free.

           

          http://www.weststreetconsulting.com/WSC_AXCM.htm

           

          Russ

          • 2. Re: Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker
            AMCGracer Community Member
            AMCGracer Nov 14, 2013 6:08 AM (in response to Russ Ward)

            Hi Russ,

            Thanks for the answer, though it's what I was afraid of.

             

            So a couple of follow up questions.... is it possible to migrate a large complex document set to structured FrameMaker? Will it still support my Robohelp integration for WebHelp output?

             

            How would you estimate the effort involved?

             

            Thank you again,

              --Amy

            • 3. Re: Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker
              Russ Ward Community Member
              Russ Ward Nov 14, 2013 7:44 AM (in response to AMCGracer)

              Hi Amy,

               

              It's no simple matter, so I don't mean to casually suggest that you'll be able to do it in an afternoon. It is a long term process to understand the structured mindset and build the architecture to support it. I couldn't possible estimate an effort from here because there are so many variables involved. Typically, though, you are looking at months to pull off any kind of substantial transition.

               

              That said, a structured document set is the only way you'll be able to realize your goals. Unstructured content, whether in FrameMaker, Word, or wherever, lacks the metadata to engage the computer for the type of automation that you want. For the computer to do work for you, you'll need to make your content look like data to the computer. This doesn't have to be structured Frame, as there are many avenues to this destination. It is a convenient option, though, for those already using FrameMaker and are satisfied with the authoring platform and publishing options.

              • 4. Re: Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker
                Russ Ward Community Member
                Russ Ward Nov 14, 2013 7:47 AM (in response to Russ Ward)

                Here's the rest of that post... accidentally submitted too early (dang that Ctrl+S habit!)

                 

                So in summary, it is possible and I'm sure that your RoboHelp usage will remain intact. But it's not trivial. Despite the effort, though, the rewards are enormous. Unstructured Frame is technology that is decades old, which is why nothing new and really cool happens with it. Everything on the cutting edge involves structured content, because everything on the cutting edge involves the computer doing more and more work.

                 

                Russ

                • 5. Re: Complex Boolean Expressions in FrameMaker
                  mattrsullivan CommunityMVP
                  mattrsullivan Nov 14, 2013 9:18 AM (in response to AMCGracer)

                  @Amy,

                   

                  Yes, you can retain your Fm > Rh workflow. When you switch to structure, though, retain the paragraph format name, even if you use the EDD formatting rules.

                   

                  You'll still need the paragraph format name as an identifier for the Rh mapping process.

                   

                  A bonus: because your mappings already exist, you should find much of the process will already be complete.

                   

                  -Matt