Why Is the SGML International Standard Important?
SGML is designed to make your information last longer than the systems that created it. Such longevity also implies immunity to short-term changes — such as a change from one application program to another — so SGML is also inherently designed for re-purposing and portability. And the same technical characteristics of SGML that make these long-term benefits possible also provide near-term benefits in document production: shorter lead times, lower costs, more flexible processing, and better control. But the real key to SGML’s success — both politically and technically — is the fact that SGML is a bona fide International Standard, not the creation of a dominant vendor or a consortium. I say “politically” because large users feel they can safely invest millions to convert to SGML because the SGML specification is stable and is maintained by a neutral organization. I say “technically” because the concept of conformance to a standard is what makes SGML work. Here’s how conformance works
