Document Assembly 'Books'

As noted in other sections, Pathagoras has adopted a libraries and books metaphor to describe how source clauses are arranged and stored.

A ‘book’ is simply a pointer to an existing location in which clauses are stored.

The concept of a Pathagoras 'book' could not be simpler. A 'book' is a pointer to folder that currently resides on your computer (or on your network). By 'pointer,' we mean only the standard Windows style 'long name' which identifies a specific folder on your system. An address like "c:\my documents\office forms\" or "g:\office forms\estate planning" and the like.

We implore you to not make this definition more complex than that. To over embellish what a book is will lead to confusion. "Book" = "pointer to folder". Nothing more.

(As you will read elsewhere, a 'book' can also be a document -- called a 'glossary' -- that contains multiple bookmarked clauses. But at least for the beginner, let's hold onto the "Book" = "folder" definition)

A "library" comprises up to 10 books. So, a library is nothing more than a collection of up to 10 pointers to folders that reside on your computer (or on your network).

The concept of a Pathagoras 'library' is likewise a very simple idea. From a technical perspective, a library is text file that Pathagoras creates to hold the pointers. This text file resides on your computer within the Pathagoras setup folders. It contains up to 10 lines of text, each line being a 'book.'

Since a library contains 'books,' and a 'book' is simply a pointer to folder, the library is nothing more than 10 lines of pointers. Line 1 of the library file contains the pointer to folder/book 1, line 2 of the library file contains the pointer to folder/book 2, etc.

When we sat down to designed the structure of Pathagoras, it was our position that less is more. Pathagoras uses what you now have. A Pathagoras book can be pointed anywhere you want, and does not require you to restructure the existing way you have organized your files.

'Shelving' a book:

The process of adding a book to a library is called 'shelving.' In reality, it is navigating to the folder to which you want the book to point. Pathagoras will automatically record of the book's address in the library when you have indicated 'this is the folder I want.'

'Types' of books:

For the novice, you will be best served if you think of 'book' equals 'folder'. But as you progress up the learning ladder, you may wish to explore the concept that a 'book' can also be what Pathagoras calls a glossary. Check out these links for for more information:

Two 'types' of books:

(1) a folder of documents or

(2) a glossary

Each of these types of books is discussed in more detail in subsequent sections.

Click the button in the menu bar to read more about types of books.