Files
mdBook/for_developers/backends.html
2025-12-11 21:17:04 +00:00

518 lines
36 KiB
HTML
Raw Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html lang="en" class="light sidebar-visible" dir="ltr">
<head>
<!-- Book generated using mdBook -->
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Alternative backends - mdBook Documentation</title>
<!-- Custom HTML head -->
<meta name="description" content="Create book from markdown files. Like Gitbook but implemented in Rust">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff">
<link rel="icon" href="../favicon-de23e50b.svg">
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="../favicon-8114d1fc.png">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/variables-8adf115d.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/general-2459343d.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/chrome-ae938929.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../css/print-9e4910d8.css" media="print">
<!-- Fonts -->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../fonts/fonts-9644e21d.css">
<!-- Highlight.js Stylesheets -->
<link rel="stylesheet" id="mdbook-highlight-css" href="../highlight-493f70e1.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" id="mdbook-tomorrow-night-css" href="../tomorrow-night-4c0ae647.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" id="mdbook-ayu-highlight-css" href="../ayu-highlight-3fdfc3ac.css">
<!-- Custom theme stylesheets -->
<!-- MathJax -->
<script async src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/mathjax/2.7.1/MathJax.js?config=TeX-AMS-MML_HTMLorMML"></script>
<!-- Provide site root and default themes to javascript -->
<script>
const path_to_root = "../";
const default_light_theme = "light";
const default_dark_theme = "navy";
window.path_to_searchindex_js = "../searchindex-83c2db7d.js";
</script>
<!-- Start loading toc.js asap -->
<script src="../toc-0bef705f.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<div id="mdbook-help-container">
<div id="mdbook-help-popup">
<h2 class="mdbook-help-title">Keyboard shortcuts</h2>
<div>
<p>Press <kbd></kbd> or <kbd></kbd> to navigate between chapters</p>
<p>Press <kbd>S</kbd> or <kbd>/</kbd> to search in the book</p>
<p>Press <kbd>?</kbd> to show this help</p>
<p>Press <kbd>Esc</kbd> to hide this help</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mdbook-body-container">
<!-- Work around some values being stored in localStorage wrapped in quotes -->
<script>
try {
let theme = localStorage.getItem('mdbook-theme');
let sidebar = localStorage.getItem('mdbook-sidebar');
if (theme.startsWith('"') && theme.endsWith('"')) {
localStorage.setItem('mdbook-theme', theme.slice(1, theme.length - 1));
}
if (sidebar.startsWith('"') && sidebar.endsWith('"')) {
localStorage.setItem('mdbook-sidebar', sidebar.slice(1, sidebar.length - 1));
}
} catch (e) { }
</script>
<!-- Set the theme before any content is loaded, prevents flash -->
<script>
const default_theme = window.matchMedia("(prefers-color-scheme: dark)").matches ? default_dark_theme : default_light_theme;
let theme;
try { theme = localStorage.getItem('mdbook-theme'); } catch(e) { }
if (theme === null || theme === undefined) { theme = default_theme; }
const html = document.documentElement;
html.classList.remove('light')
html.classList.add(theme);
html.classList.add("js");
</script>
<input type="checkbox" id="mdbook-sidebar-toggle-anchor" class="hidden">
<!-- Hide / unhide sidebar before it is displayed -->
<script>
let sidebar = null;
const sidebar_toggle = document.getElementById("mdbook-sidebar-toggle-anchor");
if (document.body.clientWidth >= 1080) {
try { sidebar = localStorage.getItem('mdbook-sidebar'); } catch(e) { }
sidebar = sidebar || 'visible';
} else {
sidebar = 'hidden';
sidebar_toggle.checked = false;
}
if (sidebar === 'visible') {
sidebar_toggle.checked = true;
} else {
html.classList.remove('sidebar-visible');
}
</script>
<nav id="mdbook-sidebar" class="sidebar" aria-label="Table of contents">
<!-- populated by js -->
<mdbook-sidebar-scrollbox class="sidebar-scrollbox"></mdbook-sidebar-scrollbox>
<noscript>
<iframe class="sidebar-iframe-outer" src="../toc.html"></iframe>
</noscript>
<div id="mdbook-sidebar-resize-handle" class="sidebar-resize-handle">
<div class="sidebar-resize-indicator"></div>
</div>
</nav>
<div id="mdbook-page-wrapper" class="page-wrapper">
<div class="page">
<div id="mdbook-menu-bar-hover-placeholder"></div>
<div id="mdbook-menu-bar" class="menu-bar sticky">
<div class="left-buttons">
<label id="mdbook-sidebar-toggle" class="icon-button" for="mdbook-sidebar-toggle-anchor" title="Toggle Table of Contents" aria-label="Toggle Table of Contents" aria-controls="mdbook-sidebar">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M0 96C0 78.3 14.3 64 32 64H416c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32s-14.3 32-32 32H32C14.3 128 0 113.7 0 96zM0 256c0-17.7 14.3-32 32-32H416c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32s-14.3 32-32 32H32c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32zM448 416c0 17.7-14.3 32-32 32H32c-17.7 0-32-14.3-32-32s14.3-32 32-32H416c17.7 0 32 14.3 32 32z"/></svg></span>
</label>
<button id="mdbook-theme-toggle" class="icon-button" type="button" title="Change theme" aria-label="Change theme" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mdbook-theme-list">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 576 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M371.3 367.1c27.3-3.9 51.9-19.4 67.2-42.9L600.2 74.1c12.6-19.5 9.4-45.3-7.6-61.2S549.7-4.4 531.1 9.6L294.4 187.2c-24 18-38.2 46.1-38.4 76.1L371.3 367.1zm-19.6 25.4l-116-104.4C175.9 290.3 128 339.6 128 400c0 3.9 .2 7.8 .6 11.6c1.8 17.5-10.2 36.4-27.8 36.4H96c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32H240c61.9 0 112-50.1 112-112c0-2.5-.1-5-.2-7.5z"/></svg></span>
</button>
<ul id="mdbook-theme-list" class="theme-popup" aria-label="Themes" role="menu">
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-default_theme">Auto</button></li>
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-light">Light</button></li>
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-rust">Rust</button></li>
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-coal">Coal</button></li>
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-navy">Navy</button></li>
<li role="none"><button role="menuitem" class="theme" id="mdbook-theme-ayu">Ayu</button></li>
</ul>
<button id="mdbook-search-toggle" class="icon-button" type="button" title="Search (`/`)" aria-label="Toggle Searchbar" aria-expanded="false" aria-keyshortcuts="/ s" aria-controls="mdbook-searchbar">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M416 208c0 45.9-14.9 88.3-40 122.7L502.6 457.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L330.7 376c-34.4 25.2-76.8 40-122.7 40C93.1 416 0 322.9 0 208S93.1 0 208 0S416 93.1 416 208zM208 352c79.5 0 144-64.5 144-144s-64.5-144-144-144S64 128.5 64 208s64.5 144 144 144z"/></svg></span>
</button>
</div>
<h1 class="menu-title">mdBook Documentation</h1>
<div class="right-buttons">
<a href="../print.html" title="Print this book" aria-label="Print this book">
<span class=fa-svg id="print-button"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M128 0C92.7 0 64 28.7 64 64v96h64V64H354.7L384 93.3V160h64V93.3c0-17-6.7-33.3-18.7-45.3L400 18.7C388 6.7 371.7 0 354.7 0H128zM384 352v32 64H128V384 368 352H384zm64 32h32c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32V256c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H64c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64v96c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32H64v64c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H384c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V384zm-16-88c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24s10.7-24 24-24s24 10.7 24 24s-10.7 24-24 24z"/></svg></span>
</a>
<a href="https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook/tree/master/guide" title="Git repository" aria-label="Git repository">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M165.9 397.4c0 2-2.3 3.6-5.2 3.6-3.3.3-5.6-1.3-5.6-3.6 0-2 2.3-3.6 5.2-3.6 3-.3 5.6 1.3 5.6 3.6zm-31.1-4.5c-.7 2 1.3 4.3 4.3 4.9 2.6 1 5.6 0 6.2-2s-1.3-4.3-4.3-5.2c-2.6-.7-5.5.3-6.2 2.3zm44.2-1.7c-2.9.7-4.9 2.6-4.6 4.9.3 2 2.9 3.3 5.9 2.6 2.9-.7 4.9-2.6 4.6-4.6-.3-1.9-3-3.2-5.9-2.9zM244.8 8C106.1 8 0 113.3 0 252c0 110.9 69.8 205.8 169.5 239.2 12.8 2.3 17.3-5.6 17.3-12.1 0-6.2-.3-40.4-.3-61.4 0 0-70 15-84.7-29.8 0 0-11.4-29.1-27.8-36.6 0 0-22.9-15.7 1.6-15.4 0 0 24.9 2 38.6 25.8 21.9 38.6 58.6 27.5 72.9 20.9 2.3-16 8.8-27.1 16-33.7-55.9-6.2-112.3-14.3-112.3-110.5 0-27.5 7.6-41.3 23.6-58.9-2.6-6.5-11.1-33.3 2.6-67.9 20.9-6.5 69 27 69 27 20-5.6 41.5-8.5 62.8-8.5s42.8 2.9 62.8 8.5c0 0 48.1-33.6 69-27 13.7 34.7 5.2 61.4 2.6 67.9 16 17.7 25.8 31.5 25.8 58.9 0 96.5-58.9 104.2-114.8 110.5 9.2 7.9 17 22.9 17 46.4 0 33.7-.3 75.4-.3 83.6 0 6.5 4.6 14.4 17.3 12.1C428.2 457.8 496 362.9 496 252 496 113.3 383.5 8 244.8 8zM97.2 352.9c-1.3 1-1 3.3.7 5.2 1.6 1.6 3.9 2.3 5.2 1 1.3-1 1-3.3-.7-5.2-1.6-1.6-3.9-2.3-5.2-1zm-10.8-8.1c-.7 1.3.3 2.9 2.3 3.9 1.6 1 3.6.7 4.3-.7.7-1.3-.3-2.9-2.3-3.9-2-.6-3.6-.3-4.3.7zm32.4 35.6c-1.6 1.3-1 4.3 1.3 6.2 2.3 2.3 5.2 2.6 6.5 1 1.3-1.3.7-4.3-1.3-6.2-2.2-2.3-5.2-2.6-6.5-1zm-11.4-14.7c-1.6 1-1.6 3.6 0 5.9 1.6 2.3 4.3 3.3 5.6 2.3 1.6-1.3 1.6-3.9 0-6.2-1.4-2.3-4-3.3-5.6-2z"/></svg></span>
</a>
<a href="https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook/edit/master/guide/src/for_developers/backends.md" title="Suggest an edit" aria-label="Suggest an edit" rel="edit">
<span class=fa-svg id="git-edit-button"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M421.7 220.3l-11.3 11.3-22.6 22.6-205 205c-6.6 6.6-14.8 11.5-23.8 14.1L30.8 511c-8.4 2.5-17.5 .2-23.7-6.1S-1.5 489.7 1 481.2L38.7 353.1c2.6-9 7.5-17.2 14.1-23.8l205-205 22.6-22.6 11.3-11.3 33.9 33.9 62.1 62.1 33.9 33.9zM96 353.9l-9.3 9.3c-.9 .9-1.6 2.1-2 3.4l-25.3 86 86-25.3c1.3-.4 2.5-1.1 3.4-2l9.3-9.3H112c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V353.9zM453.3 19.3l39.4 39.4c25 25 25 65.5 0 90.5l-14.5 14.5-22.6 22.6-11.3 11.3-33.9-33.9-62.1-62.1L314.3 67.7l11.3-11.3 22.6-22.6 14.5-14.5c25-25 65.5-25 90.5 0z"/></svg></span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mdbook-search-wrapper" class="hidden">
<form id="mdbook-searchbar-outer" class="searchbar-outer">
<div class="search-wrapper">
<input type="search" id="mdbook-searchbar" name="searchbar" placeholder="Search this book ..." aria-controls="mdbook-searchresults-outer" aria-describedby="searchresults-header">
<div class="spinner-wrapper">
<span class=fa-svg id="fa-spin"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M304 48c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48s-48 21.5-48 48s21.5 48 48 48s48-21.5 48-48zm0 416c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48s-48 21.5-48 48s21.5 48 48 48s48-21.5 48-48zM48 304c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48s-21.5-48-48-48s-48 21.5-48 48s21.5 48 48 48zm464-48c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48s-48 21.5-48 48s21.5 48 48 48s48-21.5 48-48zM142.9 437c18.7-18.7 18.7-49.1 0-67.9s-49.1-18.7-67.9 0s-18.7 49.1 0 67.9s49.1 18.7 67.9 0zm0-294.2c18.7-18.7 18.7-49.1 0-67.9S93.7 56.2 75 75s-18.7 49.1 0 67.9s49.1 18.7 67.9 0zM369.1 437c18.7 18.7 49.1 18.7 67.9 0s18.7-49.1 0-67.9s-49.1-18.7-67.9 0s-18.7 49.1 0 67.9z"/></svg></span>
</div>
</div>
</form>
<div id="mdbook-searchresults-outer" class="searchresults-outer hidden">
<div id="mdbook-searchresults-header" class="searchresults-header"></div>
<ul id="mdbook-searchresults">
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Apply ARIA attributes after the sidebar and the sidebar toggle button are added to the DOM -->
<script>
document.getElementById('mdbook-sidebar-toggle').setAttribute('aria-expanded', sidebar === 'visible');
document.getElementById('mdbook-sidebar').setAttribute('aria-hidden', sidebar !== 'visible');
Array.from(document.querySelectorAll('#mdbook-sidebar a')).forEach(function(link) {
link.setAttribute('tabIndex', sidebar === 'visible' ? 0 : -1);
});
</script>
<div id="mdbook-content" class="content">
<main>
<h1 id="alternative-backends"><a class="header" href="#alternative-backends">Alternative backends</a></h1>
<p>A “backend” is simply a program which <code>mdbook</code> will invoke during the book
rendering process. This program is passed a JSON representation of the book and
configuration information via <code>stdin</code>. Once the backend receives this
information it is free to do whatever it wants.</p>
<p>See <a href="../format/configuration/renderers.html">Configuring Renderers</a> for more information about using backends.</p>
<p>The community has developed several backends.
See the <a href="https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook/wiki/Third-party-plugins">Third Party Plugins</a> wiki page for a list of available backends.</p>
<h2 id="setting-up"><a class="header" href="#setting-up">Setting up</a></h2>
<p>This page will step you through creating your own alternative backend in the form
of a simple word counting program. Although it will be written in Rust, theres
no reason why it couldnt be accomplished using something like Python or Ruby.</p>
<p>First youll want to create a new binary program and add <code>mdbook-renderer</code> as a
dependency.</p>
<pre><code class="language-shell">$ cargo new --bin mdbook-wordcount
$ cd mdbook-wordcount
$ cargo add mdbook-renderer
</code></pre>
<p>When our <code>mdbook-wordcount</code> plugin is invoked, <code>mdbook</code> will send it a JSON
version of <a href="https://docs.rs/mdbook-renderer/latest/mdbook_renderer/struct.RenderContext.html"><code>RenderContext</code></a> via our plugins <code>stdin</code>. For convenience, theres
a <a href="https://docs.rs/mdbook-renderer/latest/mdbook_renderer/struct.RenderContext.html#method.from_json"><code>RenderContext::from_json()</code></a> constructor which will load a <code>RenderContext</code>.</p>
<p>This is all the boilerplate necessary for our backend to load the book.</p>
<pre class="playground"><code class="language-rust edition2018">// src/main.rs
use std::io;
use mdbook_renderer::RenderContext;
fn main() {
let mut stdin = io::stdin();
let ctx = RenderContext::from_json(&amp;mut stdin).unwrap();
}</code></pre>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> The <code>RenderContext</code> contains a <code>version</code> field. This lets backends
figure out whether they are compatible with the version of <code>mdbook</code> its being
called by. This <code>version</code> comes directly from the corresponding field in
<code>mdbook</code>s <code>Cargo.toml</code>.</p>
<p>It is recommended that backends use the <a href="https://crates.io/crates/semver"><code>semver</code></a> crate to inspect this field
and emit a warning if there may be a compatibility issue.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="inspecting-the-book"><a class="header" href="#inspecting-the-book">Inspecting the book</a></h2>
<p>Now our backend has a copy of the book, lets count how many words are in each
chapter!</p>
<p>Because the <code>RenderContext</code> contains a <a href="https://docs.rs/mdbook-renderer/latest/mdbook_renderer/book/struct.Book.html"><code>Book</code></a> field (<code>book</code>), and a <code>Book</code> has
the <a href="https://docs.rs/mdbook-renderer/latest/mdbook_renderer/book/struct.Book.html#method.iter"><code>Book::iter()</code></a> method for iterating over all items in a <code>Book</code>, this step
turns out to be just as easy as the first.</p>
<pre class="playground"><code class="language-rust edition2018">
fn main() {
let mut stdin = io::stdin();
let ctx = RenderContext::from_json(&amp;mut stdin).unwrap();
for item in ctx.book.iter() {
if let BookItem::Chapter(ref ch) = *item {
let num_words = count_words(ch);
println!("{}: {}", ch.name, num_words);
}
}
}
fn count_words(ch: &amp;Chapter) -&gt; usize {
ch.content.split_whitespace().count()
}</code></pre>
<h2 id="enabling-the-backend"><a class="header" href="#enabling-the-backend">Enabling the backend</a></h2>
<p>Now weve got the basics running, we want to actually use it. First, install the
program.</p>
<pre><code class="language-shell">$ cargo install --path .
</code></pre>
<p>Then <code>cd</code> to the particular book youd like to count the words of and update its
<code>book.toml</code> file.</p>
<pre><code class="language-diff"> [book]
title = "mdBook Documentation"
description = "Create book from markdown files. Like Gitbook but implemented in Rust"
authors = ["Mathieu David", "Michael-F-Bryan"]
+ [output.html]
+ [output.wordcount]
</code></pre>
<p>When it loads a book into memory, <code>mdbook</code> will inspect your <code>book.toml</code> file to
try and figure out which backends to use by looking for all <code>output.*</code> tables.
If none are provided itll fall back to using the default HTML renderer.</p>
<p>Notably, this means if you want to add your own custom backend youll also need
to make sure to add the HTML backend, even if its table just stays empty.</p>
<p>Now you just need to build your book like normal, and everything should <em>Just
Work</em>.</p>
<pre><code class="language-shell">$ mdbook build
...
2018-01-16 07:31:15 [INFO] (mdbook::renderer): Invoking the "mdbook-wordcount" renderer
mdBook: 126
Command Line Tool: 224
init: 283
build: 145
watch: 146
serve: 292
test: 139
Format: 30
SUMMARY.md: 259
Configuration: 784
Theme: 304
index.hbs: 447
Syntax highlighting: 314
MathJax Support: 153
Rust code specific features: 148
For Developers: 788
Alternative Backends: 710
Contributors: 85
</code></pre>
<p>The reason we didnt need to specify the full name/path of our <code>wordcount</code>
backend is because <code>mdbook</code> will try to <em>infer</em> the programs name via
convention. The executable for the <code>foo</code> backend is typically called
<code>mdbook-foo</code>, with an associated <code>[output.foo]</code> entry in the <code>book.toml</code>. To
explicitly tell <code>mdbook</code> what command to invoke (it may require command-line
arguments or be an interpreted script), you can use the <code>command</code> field.</p>
<pre><code class="language-diff"> [book]
title = "mdBook Documentation"
description = "Create book from markdown files. Like Gitbook but implemented in Rust"
authors = ["Mathieu David", "Michael-F-Bryan"]
[output.html]
[output.wordcount]
+ command = "python /path/to/wordcount.py"
</code></pre>
<h2 id="configuration"><a class="header" href="#configuration">Configuration</a></h2>
<p>Now imagine you dont want to count the number of words on a particular chapter
(it might be generated text/code, etc). The canonical way to do this is via the
usual <code>book.toml</code> configuration file by adding items to your <code>[output.foo]</code>
table.</p>
<p>The <code>Config</code> can be treated roughly as a nested hashmap which lets you call
methods like <code>get()</code> to access the configs contents, with a
<code>get_deserialized()</code> convenience method for retrieving a value and automatically
deserializing to some arbitrary type <code>T</code>.</p>
<p>To implement this, well create our own serializable <code>WordcountConfig</code> struct
which will encapsulate all configuration for this backend.</p>
<p>First add <code>serde</code> and <code>serde_derive</code> to your <code>Cargo.toml</code>,</p>
<pre><code>$ cargo add serde serde_derive
</code></pre>
<p>And then you can create the config struct,</p>
<pre class="playground"><code class="language-rust edition2018"><span class="boring">#![allow(unused)]
</span><span class="boring">fn main() {
</span>use serde_derive::{Serialize, Deserialize};
...
#[derive(Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
#[serde(default, rename_all = "kebab-case")]
pub struct WordcountConfig {
pub ignores: Vec&lt;String&gt;,
}
<span class="boring">}</span></code></pre>
<p>Now we just need to deserialize the <code>WordcountConfig</code> from our <code>RenderContext</code>
and then add a check to make sure we skip ignored chapters.</p>
<pre><code class="language-diff"> fn main() {
let mut stdin = io::stdin();
let ctx = RenderContext::from_json(&amp;mut stdin).unwrap();
+ let cfg: WordcountConfig = ctx.config
+ .get_deserialized("output.wordcount")
+ .unwrap_or_default();
for item in ctx.book.iter() {
if let BookItem::Chapter(ref ch) = *item {
+ if cfg.ignores.contains(&amp;ch.name) {
+ continue;
+ }
+
let num_words = count_words(ch);
println!("{}: {}", ch.name, num_words);
}
}
}
</code></pre>
<h2 id="output-and-signalling-failure"><a class="header" href="#output-and-signalling-failure">Output and signalling failure</a></h2>
<p>While its nice to print word counts to the terminal when a book is built, it
might also be a good idea to output them to a file somewhere. <code>mdbook</code> tells a
backend where it should place any generated output via the <code>destination</code> field
in <a href="https://docs.rs/mdbook-renderer/latest/mdbook_renderer/struct.RenderContext.html"><code>RenderContext</code></a>.</p>
<pre><code class="language-diff">+ use std::fs::{self, File};
+ use std::io::{self, Write};
- use std::io;
use mdbook::renderer::RenderContext;
use mdbook::book::{BookItem, Chapter};
fn main() {
...
+ let _ = fs::create_dir_all(&amp;ctx.destination);
+ let mut f = File::create(ctx.destination.join("wordcounts.txt")).unwrap();
+
for item in ctx.book.iter() {
if let BookItem::Chapter(ref ch) = *item {
...
let num_words = count_words(ch);
println!("{}: {}", ch.name, num_words);
+ writeln!(f, "{}: {}", ch.name, num_words).unwrap();
}
}
}
</code></pre>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> There is no guarantee that the destination directory exists or is
empty (<code>mdbook</code> may leave the previous contents to let backends do caching),
so its always a good idea to create it with <code>fs::create_dir_all()</code>.</p>
<p>If the destination directory already exists, dont assume it will be empty.
To allow backends to cache the results from previous runs, <code>mdbook</code> may leave
old content in the directory.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Theres always the possibility that an error will occur while processing a book
(just look at all the <code>unwrap()</code>s weve written already), so <code>mdbook</code> will
interpret a non-zero exit code as a rendering failure.</p>
<p>For example, if we wanted to make sure all chapters have an <em>even</em> number of
words, erroring out if an odd number is encountered, then you may do something
like this:</p>
<pre><code class="language-diff">+ use std::process;
...
fn main() {
...
for item in ctx.book.iter() {
if let BookItem::Chapter(ref ch) = *item {
...
let num_words = count_words(ch);
println!("{}: {}", ch.name, num_words);
writeln!(f, "{}: {}", ch.name, num_words).unwrap();
+ if cfg.deny_odds &amp;&amp; num_words % 2 == 1 {
+ eprintln!("{} has an odd number of words!", ch.name);
+ process::exit(1);
+ }
}
}
}
#[derive(Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
#[serde(default, rename_all = "kebab-case")]
pub struct WordcountConfig {
pub ignores: Vec&lt;String&gt;,
+ pub deny_odds: bool,
}
</code></pre>
<p>Now, if we reinstall the backend and build a book,</p>
<pre><code class="language-shell">$ cargo install --path . --force
$ mdbook build /path/to/book
...
2018-01-16 21:21:39 [INFO] (mdbook::renderer): Invoking the "wordcount" renderer
mdBook: 126
Command Line Tool: 224
init: 283
init has an odd number of words!
2018-01-16 21:21:39 [ERROR] (mdbook::renderer): Renderer exited with non-zero return code.
2018-01-16 21:21:39 [ERROR] (mdbook::utils): Error: Rendering failed
2018-01-16 21:21:39 [ERROR] (mdbook::utils): Caused By: The "mdbook-wordcount" renderer failed
</code></pre>
<p>As youve probably already noticed, output from the plugins subprocess is
immediately passed through to the user. It is encouraged for plugins to follow
the “rule of silence” and only generate output when necessary (e.g. an error in
generation or a warning).</p>
<p>All environment variables are passed through to the backend, allowing you to use
the usual <code>MDBOOK_LOG</code> to control logging verbosity.</p>
<h2 id="wrapping-up"><a class="header" href="#wrapping-up">Wrapping up</a></h2>
<p>Although contrived, hopefully this example was enough to show how youd create
an alternative backend for <code>mdbook</code>. If you feel its missing something, dont
hesitate to create an issue in the <a href="https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook/issues">issue tracker</a> so we can improve the user
guide.</p>
<p>The existing backends mentioned towards the start of this chapter should serve
as a good example of how its done in real life, so feel free to skim through
the source code or ask questions.</p>
</main>
<nav class="nav-wrapper" aria-label="Page navigation">
<!-- Mobile navigation buttons -->
<a rel="prev" href="../for_developers/preprocessors.html" class="mobile-nav-chapters previous" title="Previous chapter" aria-label="Previous chapter" aria-keyshortcuts="Left">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M41.4 233.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l160 160c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0s12.5-32.8 0-45.3L109.3 256 246.6 118.6c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0l-160 160z"/></svg></span>
</a>
<a rel="next prefetch" href="../misc/contributors.html" class="mobile-nav-chapters next" title="Next chapter" aria-label="Next chapter" aria-keyshortcuts="Right">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M278.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-160 160c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L210.7 256 73.4 118.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l160 160z"/></svg></span>
</a>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
<nav class="nav-wide-wrapper" aria-label="Page navigation">
<a rel="prev" href="../for_developers/preprocessors.html" class="nav-chapters previous" title="Previous chapter" aria-label="Previous chapter" aria-keyshortcuts="Left">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M41.4 233.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l160 160c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0s12.5-32.8 0-45.3L109.3 256 246.6 118.6c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0l-160 160z"/></svg></span>
</a>
<a rel="next prefetch" href="../misc/contributors.html" class="nav-chapters next" title="Next chapter" aria-label="Next chapter" aria-keyshortcuts="Right">
<span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 320 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M278.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-160 160c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L210.7 256 73.4 118.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l160 160z"/></svg></span>
</a>
</nav>
</div>
<template id=fa-eye><span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 576 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M288 32c-80.8 0-145.5 36.8-192.6 80.6C48.6 156 17.3 208 2.5 243.7c-3.3 7.9-3.3 16.7 0 24.6C17.3 304 48.6 356 95.4 399.4C142.5 443.2 207.2 480 288 480s145.5-36.8 192.6-80.6c46.8-43.5 78.1-95.4 93-131.1c3.3-7.9 3.3-16.7 0-24.6c-14.9-35.7-46.2-87.7-93-131.1C433.5 68.8 368.8 32 288 32zM432 256c0 79.5-64.5 144-144 144s-144-64.5-144-144s64.5-144 144-144s144 64.5 144 144zM288 192c0 35.3-28.7 64-64 64c-11.5 0-22.3-3-31.6-8.4c-.2 2.8-.4 5.5-.4 8.4c0 53 43 96 96 96s96-43 96-96s-43-96-96-96c-2.8 0-5.6 .1-8.4 .4c5.3 9.3 8.4 20.1 8.4 31.6z"/></svg></span></template>
<template id=fa-eye-slash><span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 640 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M38.8 5.1C28.4-3.1 13.3-1.2 5.1 9.2S-1.2 34.7 9.2 42.9l592 464c10.4 8.2 25.5 6.3 33.7-4.1s6.3-25.5-4.1-33.7L525.6 386.7c39.6-40.6 66.4-86.1 79.9-118.4c3.3-7.9 3.3-16.7 0-24.6c-14.9-35.7-46.2-87.7-93-131.1C465.5 68.8 400.8 32 320 32c-68.2 0-125 26.3-169.3 60.8L38.8 5.1zM223.1 149.5C248.6 126.2 282.7 112 320 112c79.5 0 144 64.5 144 144c0 24.9-6.3 48.3-17.4 68.7L408 294.5c5.2-11.8 8-24.8 8-38.5c0-53-43-96-96-96c-2.8 0-5.6 .1-8.4 .4c5.3 9.3 8.4 20.1 8.4 31.6c0 10.2-2.4 19.8-6.6 28.3l-90.3-70.8zm223.1 298L373 389.9c-16.4 6.5-34.3 10.1-53 10.1c-79.5 0-144-64.5-144-144c0-6.9 .5-13.6 1.4-20.2L83.1 161.5C60.3 191.2 44 220.8 34.5 243.7c-3.3 7.9-3.3 16.7 0 24.6c14.9 35.7 46.2 87.7 93 131.1C174.5 443.2 239.2 480 320 480c47.8 0 89.9-12.9 126.2-32.5z"/></svg></span></template>
<template id=fa-copy><span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M502.6 70.63l-61.25-61.25C435.4 3.371 427.2 0 418.7 0H255.1c-35.35 0-64 28.66-64 64l.0195 256C192 355.4 220.7 384 256 384h192c35.2 0 64-28.8 64-64V93.25C512 84.77 508.6 76.63 502.6 70.63zM464 320c0 8.836-7.164 16-16 16H255.1c-8.838 0-16-7.164-16-16L239.1 64.13c0-8.836 7.164-16 16-16h128L384 96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h47.1V320zM272 448c0 8.836-7.164 16-16 16H63.1c-8.838 0-16-7.164-16-16L47.98 192.1c0-8.836 7.164-16 16-16H160V128H63.99c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64l.0098 256C.002 483.3 28.66 512 64 512h192c35.2 0 64-28.8 64-64v-32h-47.1L272 448z"/></svg></span></template>
<template id=fa-play><span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 384 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M73 39c-14.8-9.1-33.4-9.4-48.5-.9S0 62.6 0 80V432c0 17.4 9.4 33.4 24.5 41.9s33.7 8.1 48.5-.9L361 297c14.3-8.7 23-24.2 23-41s-8.7-32.2-23-41L73 39z"/></svg></span></template>
<template id=fa-clock-rotate-left><span class=fa-svg><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><!--! Font Awesome Free 6.2.0 by @fontawesome - https://fontawesome.com License - https://fontawesome.com/license/free (Icons: CC BY 4.0, Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1, Code: MIT License) Copyright 2022 Fonticons, Inc. --><path d="M75 75L41 41C25.9 25.9 0 36.6 0 57.9V168c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24H134.1c21.4 0 32.1-25.9 17-41l-30.8-30.8C155 85.5 203 64 256 64c106 0 192 86 192 192s-86 192-192 192c-40.8 0-78.6-12.7-109.7-34.4c-14.5-10.1-34.4-6.6-44.6 7.9s-6.6 34.4 7.9 44.6C151.2 495 201.7 512 256 512c141.4 0 256-114.6 256-256S397.4 0 256 0C185.3 0 121.3 28.7 75 75zm181 53c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24V256c0 6.4 2.5 12.5 7 17l72 72c9.4 9.4 24.6 9.4 33.9 0s9.4-24.6 0-33.9l-65-65V152c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24z"/></svg></span></template>
<script>
window.playground_line_numbers = true;
</script>
<script>
window.playground_copyable = true;
</script>
<script src="../ace-2a3cd908.js"></script>
<script src="../mode-rust-2c9d5c9a.js"></script>
<script src="../editor-16ca416c.js"></script>
<script src="../theme-dawn-4493f9c8.js"></script>
<script src="../theme-tomorrow_night-9dbe62a9.js"></script>
<script src="../elasticlunr-ef4e11c1.min.js"></script>
<script src="../mark-09e88c2c.min.js"></script>
<script src="../searcher-c2a407aa.js"></script>
<script src="../clipboard-1626706a.min.js"></script>
<script src="../highlight-abc7f01d.js"></script>
<script src="../book-a0b12cfe.js"></script>
<!-- Custom JS scripts -->
</div>
</body>
</html>