Re: Citation syntax description in manual

[Joseph Reagle <joseph.2011-T1oY19WcHSwdnm+yROfE0A@public.gmane.org>]

On 21-05-18 14:54, John MacFarlane wrote:
> You're right I think.  If you want to propose a structure for
> rewriting this, I'd consider it!

I tried, but stopped short because I don't know the parsing logic that well. I had something like this:

- Markdown citations begin with an "@" followed by an identifier; a
   sequence of citations are separated by semi-colons. (Does this ever
   conflict with numbered examples? I've never used the latter.)
- A citation may be followed by optional pagination.
- When citations appear within square brackets:
	- They are taken as in-text or a note citation, depending on the
	  style.
	- Each citation within the semi-colon delimited list may have a
	  prefix, locator, and suffix.
- Citations that appear without brackets always render the names of the
   authors in-text.
	- pagination and a suffix may still follow within brackets.
- complex identifiers and locators may be protected by inclusion within
   curly brackets.
... ?