Information Presentation Facility


Information Presentation Facility is a system for presenting online help and hypertext on IBM OS/2 systems. IPF also refers to the markup language that is used to create IPF content. The IPF language has its origins in BookMaster and Generalized Markup Language developed by IBM. The IPF language is very similar to the well-known HTML language, version 3.0, with a range of additional possibilities. Therefore, a trained user may use virtually any word processor when creating IPF documents. The IPF language consists of 45 basic commands.
IPF files are compiled using the IPF Compiler into viewable INF or HLP files. IPF HLP files are distinct from the WinHelp HLP files that are prevalent in Windows.
OS/2 contains a built in viewer, and there are other viewers available for other platforms.

Example 1 - IBM

Here is a sample of IPF markup from IBM's .

 .* This is a comment line
 :userdoc.
 :title.Endangered Mammals
 :h1 res=001. The Manatee
 :p.
 The manatee has a broad flat tail and two flipper
 like forelegs. There are no back legs.
 The manatee's large upper lip is split in two and
 can be used like fingers to place food into the
 mouth. Bristly hair protrudes from its lips,
 and almost buried in its hide are small eyes, with
 which it can barely see.
 :euserdoc.

Example 2 - PM123 User's Manual


Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of digital music on OS/2. First we
must congratulate you for choosing the best MPEG-audio player available for
OS/2! PM123 has been in development since beginning of 1997 and has become
the most advanced player on OS/2. Some of you may have used the earlier
betas of PM123 and for your convenience, here are the new features in this
release:
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Status of IPF

IPF is still used as part of OS/2's latest incarnation, ArcaOS. It is otherwise rarely used, although there are several tools that can read or write IPF files.