3 ms·

A simple syntax for gantt charts is a nice enough idea. But I don't understand: 1. What that has to do with markdown? I mean, that syntax isn't markdown nor do

A simple syntax for gantt charts is a nice enough idea. But I don't understand: 1. What that has to do with markdown? I mean, that syntax isn't markdown nor does it require anything markdown-related to render AFAICT. 2. What mermaid is; the link itself doesn't explain it. I think this does, sort of: https://mermaid.js.org/intro/ but then - how does this relate to graphviz, or gnuplot? I'm missing that information. 3. Can I get something nice-and-compilable, not JS, for rendering these gantt charts into SVGs or what-not?

turnsout 2y ago
Not a complete answer to your question, but Mermaid is a plain-text diagram format which, while far from perfect, is supported by Github. So if you're looking to include a simple chart in your Readme or Markdown docs, it's a good choice.
refulgentis 2y ago
#1. mermaid is a syntax for diagrams that is markdown native, in that it is designed to be fit well in MD, and shares goals like ex. a progressive upgrade from text to render that is readable in either format #2. Graphviz and gnuplot also render diagrams #3. Sort of like asking if you can get a Markdown renderer in not JS: most direct answer is yes. If the Q is more "can Mermaid be rendered as SVG?", yes, the render format is SVG
- einpoklum 2y ago
  I should have probably written: Something portable and compilable to a small(ish) Unix/Windows dynamic library with an associated C header, which takes the Mermaid input and produces some kind of vector graphic output like SVG. So it can be used basically everywhere and with everything.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
Beijinger 2y ago
https://nomnoml.com/ https://nomnoml.com/ does allow export to SVG if I remember right. But does not do GNATT Diagrams AFAIK. I just tried the LIVE Editor: https://mermaid.live/ https://mermaid.live/ Yes, it does allow SVG export. Nice!
rhdunn 2y ago
1. In markdown you can specify a language to perform syntax highlighting within code blocks -- e.g. ```java ... ```. If you use "mermaid" there you can get the mermaid plugin to render that block. This is useful when providing a system overview, etc. in a project readme file. 2. Mermaid is a diagram rendering tool similar to graphviz and D3.js. It uses a different syntax for each chart type with the intention of making it easy to write and to read when looking at markdown source. 3. You would need to use a separate program like graphviz to do the layout and generate an SVG, PNG or other file that you can reference in your markdown or other document files. If/when mermaid provides a similar capability you'll be able to use that instead.

turnsout 2y ago

Not a complete answer to your question, but Mermaid is a plain-text diagram format which, while far from perfect, is supported by Github. So if you're looking to include a simple chart in your Readme or Markdown docs, it's a good choice.

refulgentis 2y ago

#1. mermaid is a syntax for diagrams that is markdown native, in that it is designed to be fit well in MD, and shares goals like ex. a progressive upgrade from text to render that is readable in either format #2. Graphviz and gnuplot also render diagrams #3. Sort of like asking if you can get a Markdown renderer in not JS: most direct answer is yes. If the Q is more "can Mermaid be rendered as SVG?", yes, the render format is SVG

einpoklum 2y ago
I should have probably written: Something portable and compilable to a small(ish) Unix/Windows dynamic library with an associated C header, which takes the Mermaid input and produces some kind of vector graphic output like SVG. So it can be used basically everywhere and with everything.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]

Beijinger 2y ago

https://nomnoml.com/ https://nomnoml.com/ does allow export to SVG if I remember right. But does not do GNATT Diagrams AFAIK. I just tried the LIVE Editor: https://mermaid.live/ https://mermaid.live/ Yes, it does allow SVG export. Nice!

rhdunn 2y ago

1. In markdown you can specify a language to perform syntax highlighting within code blocks -- e.g. ```java ... ```. If you use "mermaid" there you can get the mermaid plugin to render that block. This is useful when providing a system overview, etc. in a project readme file. 2. Mermaid is a diagram rendering tool similar to graphviz and D3.js. It uses a different syntax for each chart type with the intention of making it easy to write and to read when looking at markdown source. 3. You would need to use a separate program like graphviz to do the layout and generate an SVG, PNG or other file that you can reference in your markdown or other document files. If/when mermaid provides a similar capability you'll be able to use that instead.