The development of data publishing will make rapid progress

As far as memory is concerned, word processing terminals (Word Processors) appeared in the 1960s and 1970s. The reader may not necessarily know that there is such a product. Before a personal computer, an (intelligent) typewriter could be imagined as only one. When a word processing computer is available, it already has a function called Mail Merge. When the user needs to print a large number of the same content, only a small amount of information changes the letter, such as the recipient's name, organization and personal information Need to be not at the same time, the user can use some special symbols to replace these materials, such as # # # NAME to represent the recipient's name, and then a large number of recipients are listed in another file, and then use Mail Merge function, the processor will replace the special symbol according to the name in the list, generate a complete letter and print, you can quickly print a large number of letters.

This may be regarded as the earliest data publication (Database Publishing). At that time, it may still rely on text files, without using a complicated database system. However, in terms of practical application, this is a very effective data publishing application. However, after two or three decades, although computers, documents, image processing, databases, and information technology have all leapt forward, the publication of inverted data seems to be stagnant, lacking innovation and breakthrough applications. None has developed into a universal product.

Of course, this is not to say that there has been little development in data publishing. On the contrary, many data publishing systems have become very mature. Data publishing seems to be synonymous with large-scale specialized publishing systems, and only those applications that are very complicated and deal with large amounts of data will be used. From the early days of classified advertising systems, to the production of product catalogs, phone books and newsletters (especially in writing and financial editions), etc., databases have been used to store information to be printed, and data are called from databases in accordance with individual needs. Organize and automatically generate layouts via specific programs.

The principle of data publishing is very simple. First, the content that needs to be published is entered into a computer, and the database is used to store the content, and the layout is then pre-designed. Data publishing has a wide range of applications. In summary, as long as the following three conditions can be met, it can effectively exert its advantages;

(1) The degree of computerization of the relevant industries is high. Information to be printed and published has been stored on computers and even classified appropriately. It is more convenient to use databases for processing and publishing. For example, product distribution often requires the printing of a large number of product catalogs. Since many promotional data are already stored in the database, it is only necessary to connect the two to improve the operational efficiency.

(2) The amount of information that needs to be processed is very large. It is necessary to rely on highly automated methods to improve work efficiency, and it is even mainly based on data or screening of published content by data.

(c) In addition, if it is necessary to update the data from time to time and change the method of classification and layout, then repeated printing of the same or similar content is more appropriate for data publication.

The production of classified advertisements and yellow pages in newspapers and magazines has already begun to use data publishing. Although the degree of computerization in the industry is different, due to the extremely high number of classified advertisements and the need for repetitive printing, the ranking and classification methods are highly valued. Databases to store classified advertisements and record relevant publishing conditions, such as publication date, classification, size of advertisements, and other publication conditions, and then use artificial intelligence for reprofiling conditions, which not only reduces the time required for manual imposition, but more importantly It is input data and production, and even the Finance Department calculates according to the same database, and the direct use of data publishing can ensure that the information is correct, thereby reducing the assessment work among many departments and further improving work efficiency.

In a broader sense, data publishing will become more and more important in systematic and automated trends. For example, it is very popular in Europe and the United States, and is good at handling periodical (Journal) and manual (Manual) typesetting software frameMaker, and its operating principle is built. Based on the publication of data, the use of SGML to systematically store published content, and accurately process and control different versions, constantly updated, and non-language content information, can not only improve efficiency, but also, more importantly, avoid mistakes made by people. If you want to make a mistake in the manual layout of important instruments, extremely serious results may occur.

In addition, the use of simple database software, such as FileMaker or Access, to automate the layout program with a simple programming language can directly print financial reports, product catalogs, and direct mail. If the use of more flexible layout software, such as InDesign, can even be applied to the production of business cards and promotional leaflets. With the continuous improvement of the computerization of famous industries and the popularization of the Internet, the application level of data publishing will become more and more extensive, and the development speed will also increase by leaps and bounds.