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architecture.md: grammar/writing fixes, cleaner examples (#940)

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      docs/architecture.md

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docs/architecture.md

@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
## Data flow
Input data is parsed via nested chains of rules. There are 3 nested chains -
`core`, `block` & `inline`:
Input data is parsed via nested chains of rules. There are 3 nested chains --
`core`, `block`, & `inline`:
```
core
@ -27,88 +27,87 @@ core
core.ruleYY (applies to all tokens)
... (abbreviation, footnote, typographer, linkifier)
```
The result of the parsing is a *list of tokens*, that will be passed to the `renderer` to generate the html content.
The result of parsing is a token stream that will be passed to the renderer to generate HTML content.
These tokens can be themselves parsed again to generate more tokens (ex: a `list token` can be divided into multiple `inline tokens`).
These tokens can themselves be parsed again to generate more tokens (ex: a `list` token can be divided into multiple `inline` tokens).
An `env` sandbox can be used alongside tokens to inject external variables for your parsers and renderers.
An `env` object can be used alongside tokens to inject external variables into your parsers and renderers.
Each chain (core / block / inline) uses an independent `state` object when parsing data, so that each parsing operation is independent and can be disabled on the fly.
Each chain (`core`, `block`, & `inline`) uses an independent `state` object when parsing data so that each parsing operation is independent and can be disabled on the fly.
## Token stream
Instead of traditional AST we use more low-level data representation - *tokens*.
Instead of a traditional AST, we use more low-level data representation -- *tokens*.
The difference is simple:
- Tokens are a simple sequence (Array).
- Tokens are a simple sequence (an array).
- Opening and closing tags are separate.
- There are special token objects, "inline containers", having nested tokens.
sequences with inline markup (bold, italic, text, ...).
- There are special token objects, "inline containers", that have nested tokens.
These are sequences with inline markup, such as bold, italic, text, etc.
See [token class](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/token.js)
for details about each token content.
See the [`Token`](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/token.js) class
for details about each token's content.
In total, a token stream is:
- On the top level - array of paired or single "block" tokens:
- open/close for headers, lists, blockquotes, paragraphs, ...
- codes, fenced blocks, horizontal rules, html blocks, inlines containers
- Each inline token have a `.children` property with a nested token stream for inline content:
- open/close for strong, em, link, code, ...
- On the top level -- an array of paired or single "block" tokens:
- open/close for headers, lists, blockquotes, paragraphs, etc.
- code blocks, fenced blocks, horizontal rules, HTML blocks, inline containers
- Each inline token has a `children` property with a nested token stream for inline content:
- open/close for bold, italic, links, inline code, etc.
- text, line breaks
Why not AST? Because it's not needed for our tasks. We follow KISS principle.
If you wish - you can call a parser without a renderer and convert the token stream
to an AST.
Why not an AST? It's not needed for our tasks. We follow the KISS principle.
If you wish, you can call a parser without a renderer and convert the token stream
intoto an AST.
More details about tokens:
- [Renderer source](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/renderer.js)
- [Token source](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/token.js)
- [Live demo](https://markdown-it.github.io/) - type your text and click `debug` tab.
- [`Renderer` source](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/renderer.js)
- [`Token` source](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/token.js)
- [Live demo](https://markdown-it.github.io/) - type your text and click the `debug` tab.
## Rules
Rules are functions, doing "magic" with parser `state` objects. A rule is associated with one or more *chains* and is unique. For instance, a `blockquote` token is associated with `blockquote`, `paragraph`, `heading` and `list` chains.
Rules are functions, doing "magic" with parser `state` objects. A rule is associated with one or more *chains* and is unique. For instance, a `blockquote` token is associated with the `blockquote`, `paragraph`, `heading`, and `list` chains.
Rules are managed by names via [Ruler](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#Ruler) instances and can be `enabled` / `disabled` from the [MarkdownIt](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#MarkdownIt) methods.
Rules are managed by name via [`Ruler`](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#Ruler) instances and can be enabled and disabled from [`MarkdownIt`](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#MarkdownIt)'s methods.
You can note, that some rules have a `validation mode` - in this mode rules do not
modify the token stream, and only look ahead for the end of a token. It's one
important design principle - a token stream is "write only" on block & inline parse stages.
Note that some rules have a `validation mode` -- in this mode, rules do not
modify the token stream and only look ahead for the end of a token. It's one
important design principle -- a token stream is "write only" on the `block` & `inline` parse stages.
Parsers are designed to keep rules independent of each other. You can safely enable/disable them, or
add new ones. There are no universal recipes for how to create new rules - design of
distributed state machines with good data isolation is a tricky business. But you
Parsers are designed to keep rules independent of each other. You can safely enable/disable them or
add new ones. There are no universal recipes for how to create new rules -- the design of
distributed state machines with good data isolation is a tricky business. However, you
can investigate existing rules & plugins to see possible approaches.
Also, in complex cases you can try to ask for help in tracker. Condition is very
simple - it should be clear from your ticket, that you studied docs, sources,
In complex cases you can try to ask for help in the [issue tracker](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/issues).
The condition is very simple -- it should be clear from your ticket that you studied the docs, sources,
and tried to do something yourself. We never reject with help to real developers.
## Renderer
After token stream is generated, it's passed to a [renderer](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/renderer.js).
It then plays all the tokens, passing each to a rule with the same name as token type.
After the token stream is generated, it's passed to a [`Renderer`](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#Renderer).
It then iterates through all the tokens, passing each to a rule with the same name as its token type.
Renderer rules are located in `md.renderer.rules[name]` and are simple functions
with the same signature:
```js
function (tokens, idx, options, env, renderer) {
//...
// ...
return htmlResult;
}
```
In many cases that allows easy output change even without parser intrusion.
For example, let's replace images with vimeo links to player's iframe:
In many cases, that allows easy output changes even without parser intrusion.
For example, let's convert every image that uses a Vimeo link into a player iframe:
```js
var md = require('markdown-it')();
@ -117,50 +116,42 @@ var defaultRender = md.renderer.rules.image,
vimeoRE = /^https?:\/\/(www\.)?vimeo.com\/(\d+)($|\/)/;
md.renderer.rules.image = function (tokens, idx, options, env, self) {
var token = tokens[idx],
aIndex = token.attrIndex('src');
if (vimeoRE.test(token.attrs[aIndex][1])) {
var src = tokens[idx].attrGet('src');
var id = token.attrs[aIndex][1].match(vimeoRE)[2];
if (vimeoRE.test(src)) {
var id = src.match(vimeoRE)[2];
return '<div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9">\n' +
' <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/' + id + '"></iframe>\n' +
'</div>\n';
}
// pass token to default renderer.
// Pass the token to the default renderer.
return defaultRender(tokens, idx, options, env, self);
};
```
Here is another example, how to add `target="_blank"` to all links:
Here is another example on how to add `target="_blank"` to all links:
```js
// Remember old renderer, if overridden, or proxy to default renderer
var defaultRender = md.renderer.rules.link_open || function(tokens, idx, options, env, self) {
// Remember the old renderer if overridden, or proxy to the default renderer.
var defaultRender = md.renderer.rules.link_open || function (tokens, idx, options, env, self) {
return self.renderToken(tokens, idx, options);
};
md.renderer.rules.link_open = function (tokens, idx, options, env, self) {
// If you are sure other plugins can't add `target` - drop check below
var aIndex = tokens[idx].attrIndex('target');
if (aIndex < 0) {
tokens[idx].attrPush(['target', '_blank']); // add new attribute
} else {
tokens[idx].attrs[aIndex][1] = '_blank'; // replace value of existing attr
}
// Add a new `target` attribute, or replace the value of the existing one.
tokens[idx].attrSet('target', '_blank');
// pass token to default renderer.
// Pass the token to the default renderer.
return defaultRender(tokens, idx, options, env, self);
};
```
Note, if you need to add attributes, you can do things without renderer override.
For example, you can update tokens in `core` chain. That is slower, than direct
renderer override, but can be more simple. Let's use
[markdown-for-inline](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-for-inline) plugin
Note that if you need to add attributes, you can do so without a renderer override.
For example, you can update tokens in the `core` chain. This is slower than a direct
renderer override, but it can be more simple. Let's use the
[`markdown-it-for-inline`](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it-for-inline) plugin
to do the same thing as in previous example:
```js
@ -168,34 +159,28 @@ var iterator = require('markdown-it-for-inline');
var md = require('markdown-it')()
.use(iterator, 'url_new_win', 'link_open', function (tokens, idx) {
var aIndex = tokens[idx].attrIndex('target');
if (aIndex < 0) {
tokens[idx].attrPush(['target', '_blank']);
} else {
tokens[idx].attrs[aIndex][1] = '_blank';
}
tokens[idx].attrSet('target', '_blank');
});
```
You also can write your own renderer to generate other formats than HTML, such as
JSON/XML... You can even use it to generate AST.
You also can write your own renderer to generate formats other than HTML, such as
JSON and XML. You can even use it to generate an AST.
## Summary
This was mentioned in [Data flow](#data-flow), but let's repeat sequence again:
This was mentioned in [Data flow](#data-flow), but let's repeat the sequence again:
1. Blocks are parsed, and top level of token stream filled with block tokens.
2. Content on inline containers is parsed, filling `.children` properties.
1. Blocks are parsed, and the top level of each token stream is filled with block tokens.
2. Content in inline containers is parsed, filling their `children` properties.
3. Rendering happens.
And somewhere between you can apply additional transformations :) . Full content
of each chain can be seen on the top of
[parser_core.js](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_core.js),
[parser_block.js](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_block.js) and
[parser_inline.js](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_inline.js)
files.
And somewhere in between, you can apply additional transformations.
Source code for each chain can be seen in the following files:
- [`parser_core.js`](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_core.js)
- [`parser_block.js`](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_block.js)
- [`parser_inline.js`](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/parser_inline.js)
Also you can change output directly in [renderer](https://github.com/markdown-it/markdown-it/blob/master/lib/renderer.js) for many simple cases.
Also, you can change output directly in a [`Renderer`](https://markdown-it.github.io/markdown-it/#Renderer) for many simple cases.

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