[TUHS] Proliferation of options is great simplification of pipes, really?

[Robert Clausecker]

> I can imagine a simple perl (or python or whatever) script that would run
> through groff input, determine which preprocessors are *actually* needed,
> and set up a pipeline to run through (only) the needed preprocessors in the
> proper order. I wouldn't have to tell groff what preprocessors I think are
> needed, and groff wouldn't have to change (although my script would) when
> another preprocessor comes into existence. Modern processors are fast
> enough, and groff input small enough, that the "extra" pass wouldn't be
> burdensome. And it would take the burden off me to remember exactly which
> preprocessors are essential. -- jpl

I'm not sure if it would be that simple.  With preprocessors like
soelim, your script would have to be able to open arbitrary external
files to find out what preprocessors are needed.  And perhaps other
preprocessors too could trigger dependencies on additional
preprocessors depending on how they are used.

Yours,
Robert Clausecker

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