Re: New module: simplebib

[Aditya Mahajan <adityam@umich.edu>]

On Sun, 4 Nov 2012, Zenlima wrote:

> Hallo,
>
> here is my third module for you guys: a simple bibliography without a
> database but with items:
>
> 	http://modules.contextgarden.net/simplebib
>
> 	http://wiki.contextgarden.net/Simple_Bibliography
>
> Please feel free to comment.

I don't really understand what is the advantage of this module over the 
bib module (The bib module can be used without a bibtex database by 
writing a bibliography in a key-value way. In fact all that when you use a 
bibtex database, the first step is to convert the bib file to a key-value 
file and then proceed by processing it).

Some stylistic comments:

1. Spacing around =

%D \module [
%D		file			= t-simplebib,
%D		version		= 0.8
%D		title			= \CONTEXT\ User Module,
%D		subtitle		= Simple Bibliography,
%D 		author		= Zenlima,
%D		date			= 2012.11.03
%D		copyright		= Henning Haeske,
%D		license		= ''
%D ]

This will fail when you generate the documentation. Use

\module[
      file=t-simplebib,
      version=0.8,
      ...
]

that is, no space around the = sign.

2. Use a internal namespace for macros.

For example, you have

\def\labelspace{\moduleparameter{simplebib}{labelSpace}}

The macro \labelspace is not meant to be used by the user. So, it is 
better to name is \simplebib_labelspace to avoid conflict with other user 
defined macros.

The same applies for \getparameter[tmp]. It may be better to use something 
like \getparamenter[simplebib_tmp_]

3. Don't use camelCase for key-values

Most context keys are not camelCase. So, I would suggest "labelspace" 
instead of "labelSpace", "labelleft" instead of "labelLeft", etc.

4. \doifnot {...} {} vs \doifsomething {...}

You can make the code slightly cleaner by using \doifsomething{...} 
instead of the \doifnot {...} {}.


Some UI comments:

1. Dependence on crossref.

Can the dependence of crossref be optional. In particular, what if a user 
does just wants to link to the bibliography without the funny arrows from 
crossref module?

2. Setting style for labels.

You use

\sym{...\sc{\tmplabel}....}

It may be better to define style and color keys for the label rather than 
hardcoding \sc. In fact, all you need to do is set symstyle and symcolor 
for itemgroups.


3. Is it possible to change the format of an bibliographic item based on 
its type (journal paper, conference paper, book, etc.)? Is the current 
default formatting following a particular bibliographic style? If so, 
which one?

Aditya
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