[libreoffice-users] Re: status of "macro in ODF" interoperability?

M. Fioretti wrote
> When I wrote this, almost 10 years ago, things didn't looking too good
> for "inter-suite" macro compatibility:
>
> http://archive09.linux.com/feature/47935
>
> today, I have the feeling thing's haven't really improved, when it
> comes to macros inserted in ODF files, even considering only the
> FOSS-based suites, i.e. AOO, LO, Calligra... but I am not sure. What's
> your opinion, or reports from the trenches? Any feedback is welcome.

Michael Meeks (LO developer) has commented about this issue, in relation to
the recent UK Government ODF adoption proposal, in his blog post from
2014-02-26 (under the heading "Macros expose implementation details"):

https://people.gnome.org/~michael/blog/2014-02-26-cabinet-office.html

I have also written about this issue in a forum thread here:

http://en.libreofficeforum.org/node/7985

In short, a specification (ODF) will never define implementation-level
detail (API) and nor should it be expected to do so. Use of macros (API) is
effectively a form of implementation (i.e., vendor) lock-on that has little
to do with a file format specification. If an organisation is dependent on
API-level compatibility, they are dependent on a software product rather
than a specification. The situation with ODF or any other file format
specification will be unlikely to change this. This is a story that repeats
itself in many forms of software and not just office suites and is also the
reason why some large organisations prohibit the use of API-level
development (as it reduces the ability for adaptation).

Best wishes, Owen.



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