HTML_TXT: An HTML to Text Converter

HTML_TXT will attempt to maintain the format of the HTML document by using appropriate spacing and ASCII characters. HTML_TXT can use ASCII art (lines and boxes), as well as other high-ascii characters, to improve the appearance of the output (text) file.

HTML_TXT can be customized in a number of ways. For example, you can:

• suppress the use of line art and other high ASCII characters (your output will be rougher, but will suffer from fewer compatability problems).
• display tables (including nested tables) in a tabular format with auto-sized columns
• change the bullet characters used in ordered lists
• display <Hn> headings as an hierarchical outline
• change characters used to signify logical elements (emphasis, anchors, list bullets, etc.)

1. Copy HTML_TXT.CMD to a directory.
2. Open up an OS/2 prompt, change to the directory containing HTML_TXT.CMD, and type HTML_TXT at the command prompt.
3. Follow the instructions.

The READ.ME file describes how to install HTML_TXT if you are a Regina REXX user.

Running from the command line

The following summarizes HTML_TXT's capabilities.

 I)Main section
      I.a)Subsection
      I.a.1) Sub subsection
      I.b)Sub section 2

Although the default values of these parameters work well in most cases, you can change them by editing HTML_TXT.CMD with your favorite text editor (look for the "user configurable parameters" section)

Alternatively, you can temporarily changes values using the /VAR command line option. In fact, by specifying a PLIST=file.ext (in the /VAR section), you can create custom instructions for sets of HTML documents.

The following lists the more important parameters. Of particular interest are the NOANSI, LINEART, TABLEMAXNEST, TABLEMODE2 and TOOLONGWORD parameters.

General Controls

DOCAPS Captialization is used to indicate these "logical and physical" elements DOULINE Spaces are replaced with underscores to indicate these elements DOQUOTE "quotes" are used to indidate these elements. DISPLAY_ERRORS Set level of error reporting (of html coding errors encountered) FORM_BR If enabled a line BReak is added after the end of every FORM HN_OUTLINE Create a hierarchical outline from <Hn> elements IMGSTRING_MAX Controls how <IMG> labels are displayed. For example, you can display the ALT attribute, a [], a reference to a list (at the bottom of the document), or you can display nothing (so that the text document ignores all IMG elements) IGNORE_WIDTH Ignore WIDTH option in <TD> elements (and/or suppress auto-sizing) LINEART Suppress use of high ascii (non keyboard) characters. LINK_DISPLAY controls whether or not URL information should be displayed (when displaying links). You can suppress display of URL info, display a number into a reference list (that will be written to the end of the text output file), or include the URL in the body of the text. NOANSI Suppress use of ANSI screen controls. SHOWALLOPTS display all OPTIONS in a SELECT list. SUPPRESS_BLANKLINES Suppress display of consecutive blank lines TOOLONG WORD trim long strings.

Table Controls Display of tables, in a tabular format, can be tricky. In particular, nested tables may tax the resources of your 80 character text display. HTML_TXT allows you to modify table specific display options, and convert tables into lists.

SUPPRESS_EMPTY_TABLE suppress display of empty rows and empty tables TABLEMODE Suppress "tabular" display of tables (use lists instead) TABLEMODE2 Suppress tabular display of nested tables TD_ADD Used to increase minimum cell widths (useful if narrow cells are clipping short words) TABLEBORDER type of default table borders

Display Controls Since it's not possible to use italics, bold, font styles, and other such visual aids in a text file, HTML_TXT uses a few tricks instead. Capitalization can be used -- by default, Bold, STRONG and TypewriTer emphasis is indicated with capitalization. Spaces can be replaced with underscores -- this is used to indicate Underline emphasis "quote strings" can be placed around emphasised strings. The last trick, the use of "quote strings", is frequently used by HTML_TXT; with different sets of quote strings used for different emphasis. For example, EM and I emphasis, anchors, submit fields, and < src="xxx" alt="in-line images"> in-line images are indicated with unique sets of "quote strings".

CHECKBOX and CHECKBOXCHECK Character used as a CHECKBOX button, and a selected CHECKBOX button FLAGMENU bullets used in <MENU> lists. FLAGUL bullets used in <UL> lists. FLAGSELECT and FLAGSELECT2 character used to signify OPTION and a selected OPITON (in a SELECT list), respectively HN_NUMBERS.n (n=1,2,..,7) characters to use when outlining <Hn> headings HRBIG character used to make large <HR> bars. OL_NUMBERS Characters (i.e.; roman numerals, numbers, or letters) as bullets in <OL> (ordered lists) PRETITLE and POSTTITLE Strings used before and after the doucment title PREA and POSTA characters used before and after <A> anchors PREH1 and POSTH1 characters used before and after <H1> headings PREHN and POSTHN characters used before and after <Hn1> (n>1) headings PREIMG and POSTIMG characters used before and after <IMGgt; names of in-line images QUOTESTRING1 and QUOTESTRING2 characters used to quote emphasize RADIOBOX and RADIOBOXCHECK Character used as a RADIO button, and a selected RADIO button SUBMITMARK1 and SUBMITMARK2 characters used before and after a <SUBMIT> and <RESET> field TEXTMARK1, TEXTMARK2, and TEXTMARK characters to use on the left, right, and middle of a FILE and TEXT field. TABLEVERT and TABLEHORIZ characters to use as vertical, and horizontal, lines in tables (used only when lineart is suppressed) TABLEFILLER character to used to fill empty spaces in tables and textbox's

For detailed descriptions of these parameters, see HTML_TXT.CMD.

É HTML_TXT display all kinds of wierd garbage (such as $ and [ characters)

You don't have ANSI support installed. You should either install ANSI.SYS (for example, include a DEVICE=C:\OS2\MDOS\ANSI.SYS in your OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file), or set NOANSI=1 (in HTML_TXT.CMD)..

Ê Nested tables aren't displaying properly (this is especially likely to happen when running under Regina REXX for DOS).

You can try using lists instead of tables -- set TABLEMAXNEST=0 (in HTML_TXT.CMD). .

É Tables have unappealing characters used as vertical and horizontal lines

Either your output device (say, your printer) does not support high-ascii characters, or your code page is somewhat unusual. You can use standard characters (- and !) for line borders by setting LINEART=0 (in HTML_TXT.CMD)..

Ì Unappealing characters are being used as bullets and to "quote" text strings

This can also occur if your code page is somewhat unusual. You can either change the various "display control parameters" (in HTML_TXT.CMD), or you can set LINEART=-1; in which case some default, standard charactes (such as * and @ for bullets) will be used. .

Í Long words (such as URLs) are being lost.

You can change the "trimming" action to "word wrap", or to "extend beyond margins", by setting the TOOLONGWORD parameter.

Î The display of headings is not informative

You can set HN_OUTLINE=2, heading will then be displayed in an "outline format". You can even change the numbering style (say, 2.a.ii versus II.2.b) by changing the HN_NUMBERS.n parameters.

Disclaimer

   This is freeware that is to be used at your own risk -- the author
   and any potentially affiliated institutions disclaim all responsibilties
   for any consequence arising from the use, misuse, or abuse of
   this software.


   You may use this, or subsets of this program, as you see fit,
   including for commercial  purposes; so long as  proper attribution
   is made, and so long as such use does not preclude others from making
   similar use of this code.

Contact Information

If you find errors in this program, would like to make suggestions, or otherwise wish to commment.... please contact Daniel Hellerstein