Simple (Ascii-Based) Text Formats

Great summary and comparison at the  stx (structured text) project. It lists the following (in their order of preference):

• reStructuredText (ReST) ( http://docutils.sourceforge.net/rst.html)
  • to HTML, Latex
  • Python
  • Extensible
• Grutatxt ( http://www.triptico.com/software/grutatxt.html)
  • to HTML, man, me, Latex
  • Perl
• Markdown ( http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/)
  • to HTML
  • Perl (python script maybe as well)
• Textile ( http://www.textism.com/tools/textile/)
  • to HTML
• Almost Free Text (AFT) ( http://www.maplefish.com/todd/aft.html)
  • to HTML
  • Perl
  • semi-extensible
• asciiDoc ( http://www.methods.co.nz/asciidoc/)
  • to Docbook
  • Python
  • extensible
  • sounds v. complicated
• Structured Text, as available in Zope ( http://www.zope.org/)
  • like ReST but different -- so might as well use ReST
  • Python
• Almost Plain Text (APT) ( http://www.xmlmind.com/aptconvert.html)
  • like ReST but more complex/less well thought out
  • Java
  • extensible

(Additions on capabilities are mine extracted from further info on that page. Languages are not extensible unless o/w stated)

Comments

• NS wonders in what context these (or one thereof) are going to be used. ReST is arguably the most extensible, but Markdown for my money is the most non-tech friendly. Textile is also very good for writing HTML-like stuff.