Relationship of formats, libraries and styles

A format contains direct links to style libraries. One style library can be linked to the same format. The library data is not copied in the format. A format does not contains direct but only indirect links to individual styles or built-in tags. The direct link of a GNML format is to a style library, but since a style library contains styles & tags, we can consider that a format also is linked to styles & tags. Thus, if a GNML style or tag gets updated, on next justification of text which contains links to the format which is in turn linked to a style library which in turn contains these tags, that text is reformatted.

Usually, two or more libraries are assigned to each format: default J library, and a library specific to the formatting requirements of the format. See also GNML style libraries for the description of various types.

See also Libraries order in a format.

A format is linked to a text or to a master page of an edition. The same format can be linked to any number of text or master pages. Format data is not copied in stories or master pages, but just referenced. As soon as a format gets updated or any of its linked elements gets updated, on the next justification of text which contains links to the format, that text is reformatted.

A library is linked to a format. The same library can be linked to any number of formats. Its data is not copied there. As soon as a library gets updated or any of its linked elements gets updated, on the next justification of text which contains links to the format which is linked to the library, that text is reformatted. A library may contain tags which refer to tags in other libraries. A GNML library may contain tags which are embedded in text. A library contains individual styles or built-in tags.

A style code and tag code are physically stored in a style library.

Style tag names shall be defined in the XML schema as element types.

Style tag names shall be listed in the XML element types.

You can edit in the Styles and Formats editor the paragraph and character styles which tags are listed in the schema.

A style is embedded in text (content). Tags are re-interpreted again and again on each justification of text.

A style may contain tags which refer to tags in other libraries.  A GNML style/tag may contain tags which are built-in tags.

A format defaults contain direct links to GN4 fonts. A GNML library may contain tags which contain direct links to GN4 fonts. A GNML tags may contain direct links to GN4 fonts. The direct link of a GNML format default is to a GN4 font metrics, but since a GN4 font metrics contains direct links to True Type fonts and to GN4 layout, we can consider that a format is indirectly linked to TTF font and GN4 layouts. Thus, if a TTF font or layout gets updated, and they are linked to a GN4 font metrics, used in a format, on the next justification of text which contains links to that format, that text is reformatted.