Re: how update the website for the complex layout

Oh, sorry for my poor wording.

> What exactly do you mean with a 'more general framework'?

If my memory is correct, HarfBuzz was started as the one of the infrastructure for the Pango.
When it was started, there were other non-HarfBuzz OpenType drivers, like Qt, like ICU, etc. Maybe there were more.
But now, the major players like Qt and ICU had changed to HarfBuzz. So I feel HarfBuzz had grown as more general framework, in comparison with its beginning.

But anyway, your pointing out "HarfBuzz is a text shaping library, not a text layout library" is important for the people looking for "text layout framework showing vertical glyphs in vertical writing mode". Maybe a simple mention on HarfBuzz is a misleading info, like, giving a flour to a person looking for a bread. I withdraw my proposal to replace the mention on Pango by the mention on HarfBuzz. More elaboration is needed.

Regards,
mpsuzuki

On 2021/05/19 13:58, Werner LEMBERG wrote:
> 
>> As a quick fix, I want to propose the additional item to FAQ.  [...]
> 
> Thanks, I've added this (with modifications) to the FAQ.  I also took
> the opportunity to update the layout of the FAQ to be similar to the
> rest of the FreeType 2 documentation.
> 
>> BTW, I wonder whether current last answer referring Pango should be
>> improved by referring HarfBuzz.  Yes, Pango is still essential part
>> of GTK+, but HarfBuzz is becoming more general framework broader
>> than GTK+.  How do you feel?
> 
> What exactly do you mean with a 'more general framework'?  HarfBuzz is
> a text shaping library; it is not meant to actually do text layout.  I
> think the following library stack is still valid:
> 
>    FreeType → HarfBuzz → Pango → Cairo
> 
> Of course, there are alternatives like
> 
>    FreeType → HarfBuzz → Qt
> 
> Please make further suggestions how to improve the FAQ!
> 
>> I would consider the additional text to add the vertical metrics
>> discussion in later.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> 
>      Werner
>