# Introduction

This document describes how to use the HTMLDOC software, version 1.8.24. HTMLDOC converts Hyper-Text Markup Language ("HTML") input files into indexed HTML, Adobe® PostScript®, or Adobe Portable Document Format ("PDF") files.

HTMLDOC supports most HTML 3.2 elements, some HTML 4.0 elements, and can generate title and table of contents pages. It does not currently support stylesheets.

HTMLDOC can be used as a standalone application, in a batch document processing environment, or as a web-based report generation application.

No restrictions are placed upon the output produced by HTMLDOC.

HTMLDOC is available both as open source software under the terms of the GNU General Public License and as commercial software under the terms of a traditional commercial End-User License Agreement.

## History

Like many programs HTMLDOC was developed in response to a need our company had for generating high-quality documentation in printed and electronic forms. For a while we used FrameMaker® and a package from `sgi` that generated "compiled" Standard Generalized Markup Language ("SGML") files that could be used by the Electronic Book Technologies ("EBT") documentation products; EBT was bought by INSO who was bought by StellentTM who apparently has dropped the whole product line. When `sgi` stopped supporting these tools we turned to INSO, but the cost of their tools is prohibitive to small businesses.

In the end we decided to write our own program to generate our documentation. HTML seemed to be the source format of choice since WYSIWYG HTML editors are widely (and freely) available and at worst you can use a plain text editor. We needed HTML output for documentation on our web server, PDF for customers to read and/or print from their computers, and PostScript for our own printing needs.

The result of our efforts is the HTMLDOC software which is available for Linux®/UNIX®, MacOS® X, and Microsoft® Windows®. Among other things, this software users manual is produced using HTMLDOC.

## Organization of This Manual

This manual is organized into tutorial and reference chapters and appendices:

- Chapter 1 - Installing HTMLDOC
- Chapter 2 - Getting Started
- Chapter 3 - Generating Books
- Chapter 4 - HTMLDOC from the Command-Line
- Chapter 5 - HTMLDOC from a Web Server
- Chapter 6 - HTML Reference
- Chapter 7 - GUI Reference
- Chapter 8 - Command-Line Reference
- Appendix A - GNU General Public License
- Appendix B - Book File Format
- Appendix C - Release Notes
- Appendix D - Compiling HTMLDOC from Source

## Support

Commercial support is available from Easy Software Products when you purchase the HTMLDOC Professional Membership. More information is available at the HTMLDOC web page at the following URL:

        http://www.easysw.com/htmldoc/

## Encryption Support

HTMLDOC includes code to encrypt PDF document files using the RC4 algorithm with up to a 128-bit key. While this software and code may be freely used and exported under current US laws, other countries may restrict your use and possession of this code and software.

## Copyright, Trademark, and License Information

The Adobe Portable Document Format is Copyright 1985-2004 by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Adobe, FrameMaker, and PostScript are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporated.

The Graphics Interchange Format is the copyright and GIFSM is the service mark property of CompuServe Incorporated.

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

IRIX and `sgi` are registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

MacOS is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Red Hat and RPM are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc.

Solaris is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, Inc.

UNIX is a registered trademark of the X/Open Company, Ltd.

HTMLDOC is the trademark property of Easy Software Products.

HTMLDOC is copyright 1997-2004 by Easy Software Products. See Appendix A - License Agreement for the terms of use.

This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group and FLTK project.