1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
5 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
6 version that you are working on. See TRANSLATION for details.
12 @divClass{heading-center}
13 @heading Documentation for LilyPond @version
17 @c TODO: do we want these links to be in larger text / bold ? CSS.
19 @c if you change this page, also change All.
20 @divClass{column-center-top}
21 @subheading Introduction
25 @item @ref{Text input}:
26 LilyPond is a @strong{text-based} music engraver. If you are not
27 familiar with this concept, please read this now!
30 a @qq{must-read} gentle introduction to LilyPond.
33 @emph{(optional reading)}
34 explains musical terms and gives translations for users unfamiliar
35 with English musical terms.
38 @emph{(optional reading)}
39 background information about the engraving process and the
40 aesthetics of 19th century music engraving.
47 @divClass{column-left-top}
48 @subheading Regular use
53 the main portion of the documentation; provides detailed
54 information about creating notation.
57 discusses the actual programs and operating system-specific
61 short tricks, tips, and examples.
68 @divClass{column-right-top}
69 @subheading Infrequent Use
77 links to the answers of Frequently Asked Questions.
80 updates since the last major version.
83 programming fancy tweaks in LilyPond.
85 @item @ref{Internals}:
86 information about LilyPond's internal structures, which is
87 required for constructing tweaks.
94 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
95 @subheading Other material
99 @item @ref{Translated}:
100 translation status for non-English readers.
103 quick links, downloadable manuals, and old manuals.
105 @item @ref{Development}:
106 manuals for the unstable version.
109 these manuals are published under the GNU Free Documentation
119 * Learning:: Learning.
120 * Glossary:: Glossary.
122 * Notation:: Reference.
124 * Snippets:: Snippets.
128 * Extend:: Programming.
129 * Internals:: Internals.
130 * Translated:: Translation.
138 @c TRANSLATORS: most of the text in this file came from
139 @c LM 1.1 About the documentation (before this section was
140 @c removed in July 2009).
143 @unnumberedsec Learning
145 @divClass{column-left-top}
146 @subheading Learning manual
148 This book explains how to begin learning LilyPond, as well as
149 explaining some key concepts in easy terms. You should read these
150 chapters in a linear fashion.
152 There is a paragraph @strong{See also} at the end of each section,
153 which contains cross-references to other sections: you should not
154 follow these cross-references at first reading. When you have
155 read all of the manual, you may want to read some sections again
156 and follow those cross-references for more information.
159 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
161 @docLinks{Learning, learning,
162 @rlearningnamed{Top,Learning},
163 @manualStableLearningSplit,
164 @manualStableLearningBig, 1.5 Mb,
165 @manualStableLearningPdf, 3 Mb}
171 @unnumberedsec Glossary
173 @divClass{column-left-top}
176 This explains musical terms, and includes translations to various
177 languages. If you are not familiar with music notation or music
178 terminology (especially if you are a non-native English speaker),
179 it is highly advisable to consult the glossary.
183 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
185 @docLinks{Music glossary, music-glossary,
186 @rglosnamed{Top,Music glossary},
187 @manualStableGlossarySplit,
188 @manualStableGlossaryBig, 1 Mb,
189 @manualStableGlossaryPdf, 1.5 Mb}
197 @divClass{column-left-top}
200 This book gives a brief history of music typography, followed by
201 an examination of LilyPond's engraving techniques. A comparison
202 between LilyPond and other music engraving systems is given.
204 @warning{The detailed typographical examples are easier to analyze
205 in the PDF version due to its higher resolution.}
209 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
214 @item @ressaynamed{Top,Essay}:
215 read this manual in the same format as this one.
219 @subheading All formats
221 @divClass{keep-bullets}
224 @item @uref{../essay/index.html, Essay (split HTML)}:
225 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
226 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
228 @item @uref{../essay-big-page.html, Essay (big HTML)}:
229 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
230 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2 Mb)}
232 @item @uref{../essay.pdf, essay.pdf}:
233 download as a PDF file.
234 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2.5 Mb)}
236 @c @item @uref{../TODO, essay.info}:
237 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
245 @unnumberedsec Notation
247 @divClass{column-left-top}
248 @subheading Notation reference
250 This book explains all the LilyPond commands which produce
253 @warning{The Notation reference assumes that the reader knows
254 basic material covered in the Learning manual and is familiar with
255 the English musical terms presented in the Musical Glossary.}
259 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
264 @item @rusernamed{Top,Notation}:
265 read this manual in the same format as this one.
269 @subheading All formats
271 @divClass{keep-bullets}
274 @item @uref{../notation/index.html, Notation (split HTML)}:
275 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
276 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
278 @item @uref{../notation-big-page.html, Notation (big HTML)}:
279 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
280 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 7 Mb)}
282 @item @uref{../notation.pdf, notation.pdf}:
283 download as a PDF file.
284 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 18 Mb)}
286 @c @item @uref{../TODO, notation.info}:
287 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
297 @divClass{column-left-top}
298 @subheading Usage manual
300 This book explains how to execute the programs, how to integrate
301 LilyPond notation with other programs, and suggests @qq{best
302 practices} for efficient use. It is recommended reading before
303 attempting any large projects.
306 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
311 @item @rprogramnamed{Top,Usage}:
312 read this manual in the same format as this one.
316 @subheading All formats
318 @divClass{keep-bullets}
321 @item @uref{../usage/index.html, Usage (split HTML)}:
322 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
323 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
325 @item @uref{../usage-big-page.html, Usage (big HTML)}:
326 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
327 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 300 kb)}
329 @item @uref{../usage.pdf, usage.pdf}:
330 download as a PDF file.
331 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 400 kb)}
333 @c @item @uref{../TODO, lilypond-usage.info}:
334 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
342 @unnumberedsec Snippets
344 @divClass{column-left-top}
347 This shows a selected set of LilyPond snippets from the
348 @uref{http://lsr@/.dsi@/.unimi@/.it,LilyPond Snippet Repository}
349 (LSR). All the snippets are in the public domain.
351 Please note that this document is not an exact subset of LSR. LSR
352 is running a stable LilyPond version, so any snippet which
353 demonstrates new features of a development version must be added
354 separately. These are stored in @file{input/new/} in the LilyPond
357 The list of snippets for each subsection of the Notation are also
358 linked from the @strong{See also} portion.
361 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
366 @item @rlsrnamed{Top,Snippets}:
367 read this manual in the same format as this one.
371 @subheading All formats
373 @divClass{keep-bullets}
376 @item @uref{../snippets/index.html, Snippets (split HTML)}:
377 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
378 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
380 @item @uref{../snippets-big-page.html, Snippets (big HTML)}:
381 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
382 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2.5 Mb)}
384 @item @uref{../snippets.pdf, snippets.pdf}:
385 download as a PDF file.
386 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 8 Mb)}
388 @c @item @uref{../TODO, snippets.info}:
389 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
399 @divClass{column-left-top}
402 This manual supplies general information about LilyPond. It also
403 contains information about various community forums, bug
404 reporting, and development.
408 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
413 @item @rweb{Top,Web}:
414 read this manual in the same format as this one.
418 @subheading All formats
420 @divClass{keep-bullets}
423 @item @uref{../web/index.html, Web (split HTML)}:
424 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
425 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
427 @item @uref{../web-big-page.html, Web (big HTML)}:
428 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
429 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 1 Mb)}
431 @item @uref{../web.pdf, web.pdf}:
432 download as a PDF file.
433 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2 Mb)}
435 @c @item @uref{../TODO, web.info}:
436 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
447 @divClass{column-center-top}
448 @subheading Introductory questions
450 @subsubheading Where are the graphical canvas, menus, and toolbars?
452 LilyPond requires you to write music as text. Please read about
453 our @ref{Text input}.
456 @subsubheading There's a lot of documentation! Do I need to read it?
458 You need to read the @ref{Learning, Learning manual}. As for the
459 rest of documentation, you only need to read the sections which
460 discuss the notation that you wish to create.
463 @subsubheading That's still a lot of reading! Is it worth it?
465 Please decide for yourself; the reasons why you might want to use
466 LilyPond are given in the @ref{Introduction}.
470 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
471 @subheading Usage questions
473 @subsubheading Something isn't working! How do I fix it?
475 This is explained in @rprogram{Troubleshooting}.
478 @subsubheading Why do you change the syntax?
480 This is explained in @rprogram{Why does the syntax change?}.
486 @unnumberedsec Changes
488 @divClass{column-left-top}
491 This is a summary of important changes and new features in
492 LilyPond since the previous stable version.
496 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
501 @item @rchangesnamed{Top,Changes}:
502 read this manual in the same format as this one.
506 @subheading All formats
508 @divClass{keep-bullets}
511 @item @uref{../changes/index.html, Changes (split HTML)}:
512 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
513 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
515 @item @uref{../changes-big-page.html, Changes (big HTML)}:
516 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
517 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 6 kb)}
519 @item @uref{../changes.pdf, changes.pdf}:
520 download as a PDF file.
521 @*@ @ @emph{(small single download, 200 kb)}
523 @c @item @uref{../TODO, changes.info}:
524 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
532 @unnumberedsec Extend
534 @divClass{column-left-top}
535 @subheading Extend LilyPond
537 This manual explains how to write extensions to LilyPond.
541 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
546 @item @rextendnamed{Top,Extend}:
547 read this manual in the same format as this one.
551 @subheading All formats
553 @divClass{keep-bullets}
556 @item @uref{../extending/index.html, Extend (split HTML)}:
557 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
558 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
560 @item @uref{../extending-big-page.html, Extend (big HTML)}:
561 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
562 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 200 kb)}
564 @item @uref{../extending.pdf, extending.pdf}:
565 download as a PDF file.
566 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 400 kb)}
568 @c @item @uref{../TODO, extending.info}:
569 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
577 @unnumberedsec Internals
579 @divClass{column-left-top}
580 @subheading Internals reference
582 This is a set of heavily cross linked HTML pages which document
583 the nitty-gritty details of each and every LilyPond class, object,
584 and function. It is produced directly from the formatting
585 definitions in the source code.
587 Almost all formatting functionality that is used internally is
588 available directly to the user. For example, most variables that
589 control thickness values, distances, etc., can be changed in input
590 files. There are a huge number of formatting options, and all of
591 them are described in this document. Each section of the Notation
592 Reference has a @b{See also} subsection, which refers to the
593 generated documentation. In the HTML document, these subsections
594 have clickable links.
598 @divClass{column-right-bottom}
603 @rinternalsnamed{Top,Internals}:
604 read this manual in the same format as this one.
608 @subheading All formats
610 @divClass{keep-bullets}
613 @item @uref{../internals/index.html, Internals (split HTML)}:
614 the manual is split between many HTML pages.
615 @*@ @ @emph{(small download for each page)}
617 @item @uref{../internals-big-page.html, Internals (big HTML)}:
618 read this manual as one huge HTML page.
619 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2.5 Mb)}
621 @item @uref{../internals.pdf, internals.pdf}:
622 download as a PDF file.
623 @*@ @ @emph{(large single download, 2.8 Mb)}
625 @c @item @uref{../TODO, internals.info}:
626 @c GNU info format for documentation. TODO, link broken.
635 @unnumberedsec Translated
637 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
638 @subheading Translation status
640 TODO: clean up / prettify
642 @uref{../translations.html}.
650 @divClass{heading-center}
651 @heading Documentation quick links
653 Links to other formats of these manuals can be found in
658 @c this should match the (main) manual page.
659 @divClass{column-center-top}
660 @subheading Introduction
664 @item @rlearningnamed{Top,Learning}:
665 a @qq{must-read} gentle introduction to LilyPond.
667 @item @rglosnamed{Top,Glossary}:
668 @emph{(optional reading)}
669 explains musical terms and gives translations for users unfamiliar
670 with English musical terms.
672 @item @ressaynamed{Top,Essay}:
673 @emph{(optional reading)}
674 background information about the engraving process and the
675 aesthetics of 19th century music engraving.
681 @divClass{column-left-top}
682 @subheading Regular use
686 @item @rusernamed{Top,Notation}:
687 the main portion of the documentation; provides detailed
688 information about creating notation.
690 @item @rprogramnamed{Top,Usage}:
691 discusses the actual programs and operation system-specific
694 @item @rlsrnamed{Top,Snippets}:
695 short tricks, tips, and examples.
702 @divClass{column-right-top}
703 @subheading Infrequent Use
708 links to answers of Frequently Asked Questions.
710 @item @rchangesnamed{Top,Changes}:
711 updates since the last major version.
713 @item @rextendnamed{Top,Extend}:
714 programming fancy tweaks in LilyPond.
716 @item @rinternalsnamed{Top,Internals}:
717 information about LilyPond's internal structures, which is
718 required for constructing tweaks.
725 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
726 @subheading Downloadable versions
728 @help{compare tarball vs. zip size, ask about windows users
729 dealing with tarballs (both gz and bz2), etc.}
731 @help{on second thought, wait until the new doc build. write an
732 apology here for no tarballs}
734 @divClass{keep-bullets}
743 @item info zip maybe?!?!
749 @subheading Previous stable versions
751 @divClass{keep-bullets}
754 @item @uref{http://lilypond.org/doc/v2.12/Documentation/,
755 LilyPond 2.12 Documentation}
757 @item @uref{http://lilypond.org/doc/v2.10/Documentation/,
758 LilyPond 2.10 Documentation}
760 @item @uref{http://lilypond.org/doc/v2.8/Documentation/,
761 LilyPond 2.8 Documentation}
763 @help anybody want to write this stuff?
774 @divClass{column-center-top}
775 @subheading Documentation license
777 The documentation for GNU LilyPond is published under the GNU Free
778 Documentation License. An introduction to this license, and our
779 reasons for choosing it, is given in @ref{Freedom}.
783 @divClass{column-center-bottom}
784 @subheading GNU Free Documentation License 1.1