Discrepancy between CLAN line-numbers and file line-numbers
Kevin Donnelly
Once the CLAN app is set to show line-numbers (Mode -> Show line numbers), it
allows a choice (via Edit -> Define line numbers) between display of tier-
numbers (utterances only) or line-numbers (utterances plus comments plus
translations plus whatever).
The latter is by far the most "portable" for references, since it allows items
to be specified in such a way that they can be found in the chat file if that is
not being used in CLAN (eg if it is being inspected stand-alone in a text-
editor).
However, the number is out by 2, because CLAN does not show, and therefore
does not number, the font and encoding lines of the header, eg:
@Font: Win95:Arial Unicode MS:-21:0
@UTF8
This means that (for instance) line number 100*3* as numbered in CLAN will
match line 100*5* as numbered in a text-editor.
In my view, this is a bug, since in effect CLAN is presenting the file as being
2 lines shorter than it actually is. (I have looked for options to change the
display to include these lines, but cannot find any.)
There are a couple of possibilities:
(a) Start the numbering in CLAN from 3. This would be similar to the way the
sound-bullets exist in the file, but are not shown in their full form, but it
might disrupt numbering for those who have referred to the numbers as starting
from 1.
(b) Show the missing two lines at the top of the headers, along with the other
headers. Again, this may disrupt existing numbering.
(c) Add another option to the Display line numbers dialogue offering a choice
between starting numbering at 1 or starting it at 3. This would be the safest
option, but may involve more programming work.
--
Pob hwyl / Best wishes
Kevin Donnelly
kevindonnelly.org.uk
Brian MacWhinney
We have discussed this often The reason for hiding the first two lines is to make sure that users do not alter font information in a way that makes the file unreadable. It is possible that, with the advent of Unicode, we could revisit that decision.
At one point, we made it possible to save the file with line numbers, but that started to cause problems, because people thought that this would still be a legal CHAT file. However, you can save the line numbers when you print to PDF. In that case, changing the beginning number would also be misleading, because the hidden lines are gone.
The problem with changing the line numbers in the way you suggest is that it would disorient people who are not focusing on the two hidden lines.
So, I guess the problem is largely impacting people who are using some other type of software and trying to achieve cross-reference.
Your final suggestion is the safest one. It is a shame to have to add yet another option, but maybe we should in
this case.
- Brian
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