DiGrande.it
Braille and Technologies for Visual Impairment

The conditional language for Braille

Welcome to the Biblos Conditional Language Manual, the official guide for understanding and using the tool that enables the definition of dynamic behaviors within Braille transcription tables.

The Conditional Language is an advanced component of the Biblos system, allowing each Braille code to include logical expressions that determine how text is translated. With this high-level language, every code can adapt to context, the surrounding text conditions, or custom logic, thus providing extremely precise control over the transcription output.

Manual Objectives:

- Clearly present the structure and logic of the Conditional Language integrated in Biblos.

- Describe the syntax and semantics of conditional expressions and usable logical constructs.

- Provide practical examples to help users write functional and well-structured conditions.

- Integrate knowledge of the Braille system with key concepts from Boolean logic and declarative programming.

This manual is intended for users who already have a basic understanding of Braille tables in Biblos and wish to enhance their skills through a more structured and flexible approach. However, concepts are introduced gradually and are supported by accessible explanations, even for those approaching conditional logic and control structures for the first time.

For readers unfamiliar with Boolean logic or programming, it is recommended to consult introductory resources, or to refer to the chapter dedicated to logical operators and the If...Then...Else construct in the Biblos Tactile Graphics Manual.

The Conditional Language is an integral part of Biblos's Braille infrastructure and represents a powerful tool for both customization and standardization in transcription. The continuous evolution of this language and manual reflects the experience gained in Braille text and language transcription.

The language and this manual were designed and developed by Giuseppe Di Grande, who retains all copyright and publishing rights, in all forms and by any means. Reproduction, even in part, is prohibited without written permission from the author.

Table of Contents

  1. Conditional language and programmable braille codes
  2. Logical operators
  3. Blocks, short circuits and interpretation index
  4. Character Instructions
    1. Previous character- Cp
    2. Next character- Cn
    3. Previous character type- Cl
    4. Next character of type- Cr
    5. Previous character in a group- Ch
    6. Next character in a group- Cg
    7. Character preceding characters of a family- Cb
    8. Next character to the characters of a family- Ce
    9. Previous character equal- Ci
    10. Next equal character- Cf
    11. Abbreviation character- Ca
    12. Uppercase character- Cu
    13. Character all in uppercase- CU
  5. Word Instructions
    1. Begin of a word- Wb
    2. Middle of a word- Wm
    3. End of a word- We
    4. Whole word- Ww
    5. Real word- Wr
    6. Word between spaces- Ws
    7. Word beginning of line- Wi
    8. Word end of line- Wf
  6. Text Instructions
    1. Previous text- Tp
    2. Next text- Tn
    3. Text preceding the characters of a family- Tb
    4. Text following the characters of a family- Te
    5. Text previous group- Th
    6. Text next group- Tg
    7. Text previous double character- Ti
    8. Text next double character- Tf
  7. Font Instructions
    1. Current font- Ft
    2. Previous font- Fp
    3. Next font- Fn
    4. Previous font to the characters of a family- Fb
    5. Next font to the characters of a family- Fe
  8. Math Instruction
    1. Simple numerator- Mns
    2. Simple denominator- Mds
    3. Mathematics open numerator- Mn(
    4. Mathematics close numerator- Mn)
    5. Mathematics Open denominator- Md(
    6. Mathematics close denominator- Md)
    7. Mathematics sets simple power- Mps
    8. Mathematics end simple power- Mpg
    9. Mathematics sets expression- Mvw
    10. Mathematics end expression- Mvr
    11. Mathematics verification expression- Mvx
  9. Syllable Instructions
    1. Whole syllable- Sw
    2. Inside syllable- Si
    3. Syllable with uppercase letters- Su
  10. Flag Instructions
    1. Break flag- Xb
    2. Duplication flag- Xd
    3. Exchange flags- X1 X2 X3 X4 X5
    4. Exclude capital prefix flag- Xc
    5. Include capital prefix flag- XC
    6. Exclude prefix numbers flag- Xn
    7. Include prefix numbers flag- XN
    8. Numerical continuation flag- Xm
    9. Union flag- Xu
    10. Flag personal prefix - Xxb
    11. Flag personal suffix - Xxe
  11. Index Instructions
    1. Back index- I
    2. Next index- I+
    3. Index decrements string- I<
    4. Index increments string- I>
    5. Literal index- Il
    6. Unable index with flag- Iu
    7. Index always joinable- Ij
    8. Previous index merged- Ia
    9. Index restore- Ir
    10. Index store- Iw