Unicode philosophy - technical symbols

[Asmus Freytag]

At the risk of being repetitive.

The fact that a symbol is cataloged in some list is itself not sufficient reason to consider it a text element in plain text. Which would be a necessary requirement for encoding.

Many things have been invented over time without having seen use as part of writing (in running text).

My personal view is that lists (or standards) are useful tools for two related purposes.

They can help in identifying the symbol and in distinguishing it from similar symbols. Something that may be difficult from textual evidence alone.

The other relates to small subsets of symbols that constitute a series covering a range or pair of values.

Such as on/off, fast/slow or open/close. In such cases, I would support the use of a list to motivate the encoding of both even if one tends to be less common to the point that locating an actual instance in text is not equally successful for the full range (or both items in pair).

The presumption in such a case is that the inability to locate an actual text sample is accidental and not a reflection of the need to treat them differently for encoding.

In neither of these scenarios does a listing substitute for demonstrating that these symbols are used in text.

A./

-----Original Message-----
From: William_J_G Overington <wjgo_10009 at btinternet.com>
Sent: Oct 27, 2023 10:06 AM
To: <unicode at corp.unicode.org>
Subject: RE: Unicode philosophy - technical symbols

Asmus Freytag wrote as follows.

> But without samples, there's no need even trying.
 
Perhaps that is the issue that needs addressing.

Could all the symbols in the document

ISO 7000 / IEC 60417 Graphical symbols for use on equipment (https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:pub:PUB400008:en)

be encoded in the order given, in plane 5?

No samples needed, the fact that the symbols are published in an ISO / IEC document being enough evidence for encoding.

Using a new policy made in 2023 as a result of discussions in this discussion thread.

If not, why not? Please discuss if you choose to do so.

For an application example, suppose that someone is designing the artwork for the manufacture of the front panel of a piece of equipment.

Best regards,

William Overington

Friday 27 October 2023





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