From Markup to Markdown

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From Markup to Markdown

The Evolution of Technical Writing, Typesetting Tools and Frameworks

Communication studies Media studies History of engineering and technology Computing and Information Technology Open source and other operating systems Web programming

Author: Jim Hall

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Collection: Professional and Applied Computing

Language: English

Published by: Apress

Published on: 10th August 2026

Format: LCP-protected ePub

ISBN: 9798868829314


From Markup to Markdown

is a history of how writers have used computers to write, and a look ahead to see what the future looks like for technical writing. This book explores both “technology history” and “how it works” about how we write with computers, with code examples so readers can explore and fully understand how each writing tool and framework works behind the scenes.

Starting with an overview of the major milestones of writing with digital technologies since the 1960s, you will learn about RUNOFF and how this inspired roff on Unix (and the more familiar versions, nroff and troff). You will also explore word processing milestones like WordStar, and printing technologies like the phototypesetter and the dot matrix printer, before moving onto modern markup and writing systems like HTML, Markdown and DITA and how they play a role in how we write today.

From Markup to Markdown is ideal for writers, technical communication professionals, history of computing researchers as well as “retro-computing” enthusiasts.

You Will Learn to:

Explore the history of technical writing in the age of the personal computer, from the 1960s to the present day

Understand how the technologies and tools have evolved over time

Learn how each tool works with simple and clear code samples and exercises, giving you an under-the-hood understanding of how each system works, from RUNOFF markup to modern Markdown

This Book is For:

Technical writers, technology history enthusiasts and researchers.

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