Questions on \definition
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Hey list, A couple of questions concerning \definition: (1) What is the difference between \definedescription and \setupdescriptions? (2) What is the difference between \definition and \description? (3) How do I change the colour of the definition header? I tried the following, but it did not work: \setuphead [definition] [color=colour_head] -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8d1ce6613e211bf413ee8d8fc3953295.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Hello, ** Kip Warner [2012-01-16 19:52:39 -0800]:
Hey list,
A couple of questions concerning \definition: (not an expert, just read command reference) (1) What is the difference between \definedescription and \setupdescriptions? the first should define new "description", the second change style of already defined "description".
(2) What is the difference between \definition and \description? This example <example> \starttext
\definition{Hi} \stoptext </example> gives error: "Undefined control sequence ...". Where this command is defined?
(3) How do I change the colour of the definition header? I tried the following, but it did not work:
\setuphead [definition] [color=colour_head]
If I were you I would do that: <example> \starttext \definedescription[definition][headcolor=colour_head] \definition{Hi}. This is definition. \setupdescriptions[definition][headcolor=colour_head2] \definition{Hi2}. This is second definition. \stoptext </example> --- WBR, Vladimir Lomov -- Because the wine remembers.
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
On Tue, 2012-01-17 at 13:38 +0900, Vladimir Lomov wrote: Hey Vlad.
(1) What is the difference between \definedescription and \setupdescriptions?
(not an expert, just read command reference) the first should define new "description", the second change style of already defined "description".
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
(2) What is the difference between \definition and \description? This example <example> \starttext
\definition{Hi}
\stoptext </example> gives error: "Undefined control sequence ...". Where this command is defined?
In section 10.2 of the ConTeXt User Manual (p222 of the pdf). Maybe it is a type: ... An example of the definition is: \definedescription[definition][location=top,headstyle=bold] search \definition{icon} ... Or maybe you mean \description which is on the same page.
(3) How do I change the colour of the definition header? I tried the following, but it did not work:
\setuphead [definition] [color=colour_head]
If I were you I would do that: <example> \starttext
\definedescription[definition][headcolor=colour_head]
\definition{Hi}. This is definition. \setupdescriptions[definition][headcolor=colour_head2]
\definition{Hi2}. This is second definition.
\stoptext </example>
Thank you. That makes sense now. But why does \setuphead[definition] method not work? -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8d1ce6613e211bf413ee8d8fc3953295.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Hello, ** Kip Warner [2012-01-17 17:47:21 -0800]:
On Tue, 2012-01-17 at 13:38 +0900, Vladimir Lomov wrote:
Hey Vlad.
Actually Vladimir, Vlad is usually used as short for Vladislav.
(1) What is the difference between \definedescription and \setupdescriptions?
(not an expert, just read command reference) the first should define new "description", the second change style of already defined "description".
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
I suppose no, '\define...', eh-m, defines a command while '\setup...', eh-m, sets up its 'style'. When one defines a command one could set its custom 'style' instead of default. Consider the following example: <example file="ex1.tex"> \starttext \definedescription[definition] \definition{Hi} This is first definition. \setupdescriptions[definition][headstyle=italic,color=blue] \definition{Hi2} This is second definition. \stoptext </example> The first 'definition' would be: [bold] TEXT after '\setup...' it would be [italic] <BLUE COLOR>TEXT
(2) What is the difference between \definition and \description? This example <example> \starttext
\definition{Hi}
\stoptext </example> gives error: "Undefined control sequence ...". Where this command is defined?
In section 10.2 of the ConTeXt User Manual (p222 of the pdf). Maybe it is a type:
... An example of the definition is: \definedescription[definition][location=top,headstyle=bold] search \definition{icon} ...
Or maybe you mean \description which is on the same page.
May be because this is an example? I would say that ConTeX User Manual shows different commands from context itself and how one could define custom commands. The '\definition' is one them.
(3) How do I change the colour of the definition header? I tried the following, but it did not work:
\setuphead [definition] [color=colour_head]
If I were you I would do that: <example> \starttext
\definedescription[definition][headcolor=colour_head]
\definition{Hi}. This is definition. \setupdescriptions[definition][headcolor=colour_head2]
\definition{Hi2}. This is second definition.
\stoptext </example>
Thank you. That makes sense now. But why does \setuphead[definition] method not work?
I don't know but reading manuals (context and latex ones), wiki and etc somehow convince me that 'head' relates with section heading (styling), for the rest there are '\setup...' commands and 'headstyle' key (not always, of course), may be that's why I always consult reference on wiki and sometimes source code. --- WBR, Vladimir Lomov -- The only way to learn a new programming language is by writing programs in it. - Brian Kernighan
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
On Wed, 2012-01-18 at 11:44 +0900, Vladimir Lomov wrote:
Actually Vladimir, Vlad is usually used as short for Vladislav.
Except in the case of my buddy Vlad(imir) here in Vancouver ;)
(1) What is the difference between \definedescription and \setupdescriptions?
(not an expert, just read command reference) the first should define new "description", the second change style of already defined "description".
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
I suppose no, '\define...', eh-m, defines a command while '\setup...', eh-m, sets up its 'style'. When one defines a command one could set its custom 'style' instead of default.
Consider the following example: <example file="ex1.tex"> \starttext
\definedescription[definition]
Why is this above command necessary? Why can one not simply begin with the next one, \definition{Hi}?
\definition{Hi} This is first definition.
May be because this is an example? I would say that ConTeX User Manual shows different commands from context itself and how one could define custom commands. The '\definition' is one them.
???
I don't know but reading manuals (context and latex ones), wiki and etc somehow convince me that 'head' relates with section heading (styling), for the rest there are '\setup...' commands and 'headstyle' key (not always, of course), may be that's why I always consult reference on wiki and sometimes source code.
It's kind of inconsistent that it isn't using a \setuphead, but I suppose it doesn't matter now as I got the desired effect =) Thanks Vladimir =) -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93131e1e6e2204bd13501390d768dbdc.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Am 18.01.2012 um 02:47 schrieb Kip Warner:
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
WIth \definedescription you create a new command (e.g. \definition) and environment (e.g. \startdefinition … \stopdefinition). With \setupdescriptions you can afterwards change the values of the previous defined command/environment. Each new created command has always default values for the location, style and color of the title etc. which be either changed when you create the command (\definedescription[…][..,.=.,..]) or afterwards (\setupdescriptions[…][..,.=.,..]). Wolfgang
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
On Wed, 2012-01-18 at 09:26 +0100, Wolfgang Schuster wrote:
Am 18.01.2012 um 02:47 schrieb Kip Warner:
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
WIth \definedescription you create a new command (e.g. \definition) and environment (e.g. \startdefinition \stopdefinition).
With \setupdescriptions you can afterwards change the values of the previous defined command/environment.
Each new created command has always default values for the location, style and color of the title etc. which be either changed when you create the command (\definedescription[][..,.=.,..]) or afterwards (\setupdescriptions[][..,.=.,..]).
Wolfgang
Thanks Wolfgang. I kind of understand. But when you say "create a new command", how does ConTeXt know what the command does? -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93131e1e6e2204bd13501390d768dbdc.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Am 18.01.2012 um 23:39 schrieb Kip Warner:
On Wed, 2012-01-18 at 09:26 +0100, Wolfgang Schuster wrote:
Am 18.01.2012 um 02:47 schrieb Kip Warner:
Ah, so \setupdescriptions inherits the default values of \definedescription?
WIth \definedescription you create a new command (e.g. \definition) and environment (e.g. \startdefinition \stopdefinition).
With \setupdescriptions you can afterwards change the values of the previous defined command/environment.
Each new created command has always default values for the location, style and color of the title etc. which be either changed when you create the command (\definedescription[][..,.=.,..]) or afterwards (\setupdescriptions[][..,.=.,..]).
Wolfgang
Thanks Wolfgang. I kind of understand. But when you say "create a new command", how does ConTeXt know what the command does?
The following is only a simplified explanation. When you define a new command with \definedescription, e.g. \definedescription[definition] you get the commands \definition and \startdefinition Both are only shortcuts for \dodescription[definition] and \dostartdescription[definition], as you can see the internal command tells context that it’s dealing with a description and “definition” is only the name of the instance. Wolfgang
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
On Wed, 2012-01-18 at 23:58 +0100, Wolfgang Schuster wrote:
When you define a new command with \definedescription, e.g. \definedescription[definition] you get the commands
\definition
and
\startdefinition
Both are only shortcuts for \dodescription[definition] and \dostartdescription[definition], as you can see the internal command tells context that it’s dealing with a description and “definition” is only the name of the instance.
Wolfgang
I guess my confusion is why do you need to call \definedescription when you just want a \definition to typeset? Shouldn't the command already be available? -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/93131e1e6e2204bd13501390d768dbdc.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
Am 19.01.2012 um 00:03 schrieb Kip Warner:
On Wed, 2012-01-18 at 23:58 +0100, Wolfgang Schuster wrote:
When you define a new command with \definedescription, e.g. \definedescription[definition] you get the commands
\definition
and
\startdefinition
Both are only shortcuts for \dodescription[definition] and \dostartdescription[definition], as you can see the internal command tells context that it’s dealing with a description and “definition” is only the name of the instance.
Wolfgang
I guess my confusion is why do you need to call \definedescription when you just want a \definition to typeset? Shouldn't the command already be available?
When there would be a predefined description command I would prefer \description and \startdescription but not \definition but it’s hard to say which command should be available by default everyone has a different opinion. Wolfgang
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e4119be23c6b43ebdb1041bb53ac9e67.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
On Thu, 2012-01-19 at 00:12 +0100, Wolfgang Schuster wrote:
When there would be a predefined description command I would prefer \description and \startdescription but not \definition but it’s hard to say which command should be available by default everyone has a different opinion.
Thanks Wolfgang. -- Kip Warner -- Software Engineer OpenPGP encrypted/signed mail preferred http://www.thevertigo.com
participants (3)
-
Kip Warner
-
Vladimir Lomov
-
Wolfgang Schuster