[luatex] Vital RTL issues in LuaTeX

[Idris Samawi Hamid ادريس سماوي ح]

On Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:06:31 -0600, وفا خلیقی <vafakh9 at gmail.com> wrote:

>> This is definitely a macro-package issue for number 1 also.
>
> I am afraid that is absolutely false.

Ok, let me make this absolutely clear:

By definition, axiom, philosophy, decree from above, or whatever you want  
to call it:

Bidi implementation and the like is not, I repeat, NOT the job of the  
luatex engine qua engine. This principle derives from the axiomatic basis  
of the luatex philosophy and motivation. That is NOT going to change.

>> There is a difference of philosophy here: It is not the job of the  
>> engine
>> to hardwire the bidi algorithm or any other implementation. This is the  
>> job
>> of the macropackage. Then one has full control without having to fiddle  
>> with
>> the engine.

> Can you be more specific?

One example: If I (or Hans or Yannis or Knuth or Arthur or...) comes up  
with an alternative bidi algorithm, we will have flexibility and control  
without messing with the engine. XeTeX has a different philosophy, one  
that is perhaps more to your liking :-)

Best wishes
Idris

-- 
Professor Idris Samawi Hamid, Editor-in-Chief
International Journal of Shi`i Studies
Department of Philosophy
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523