Org-babel: Uses

A Standardized Short Report

This example is similar to the previous one, but here the users are expected to write substantial content. This type of workflow might be used by a small organization whose employees regularly produce standard documents and where the writing tasks for any one document are divided among the authors.

The HTML export facility of Org-mode is used to produce a guide to writing the standardized short report. This HTML file can be used to train new authors. The Org-mode content also supplies substantial direction to experienced authors as they write. Org-mode keywords and tags are used to keep track of writing assignments and progress. Org-babel's literate programming facility makes it possible to present writing tasks to the authors in an order different from which they appear in the report.

Requirement

A working LaTeX installation.

Advantages

The integration of training material with in-file instruction can be quite effective.
Many authors find it easy to work from the bottom up, or from the particular to the general, rather than the usual sequence of general-particular-general found in reports.

Disadvantages

Some features of reftex are not yet integrated into the source code block editor, so writing and editing are sometimes less convenient than writing to the LaTeX document directly.

Example

This report must satisfy the requirements set out in the Historic Preservation Division rule.
Complete each of the TODO items.
Mark each item DONE when you have completed it.
C-c a t will make an agenda of items left to do in this document.
C-c a m YOURNAME will make an agenda of writing tasks assigned to you.

TODO Field Methods

TODO Include the following information: [1/7]
- [X] When the fieldwork was carried out.
- [ ] Who directed the fieldwork.
- [ ] The names and qualifications of crew members.
- [ ] Establishment of site datum and grid.
- [ ] Excavation tools.
- [ ] Assignment of contexts.
- [ ] Bag list.

DONE Include a citation to the project plan.

\section{Field Methods}
\label{sec:field-methods}

% Enter text below this line.

Fieldwork for the project was carried out between December 26, 2008
and February 3, 2009 following an approved plan \cite{plan}.

TODO Results

Note the use of Org-mode tags to assign sections to authors Veronica and Eric.
Discuss the artifacts and midden recovered during excavation.

TODO Artifacts Veronica
- Use Sinoto's classification of one-piece fishhooks.
- Cite Anell when describing two-piece fishhooks.
- Use Emory's classification of adzes when describing cross-section.
```
\subsection{Description of Artifacts}
\label{sec:artifact-description}

% Enter text below this line
```
TODO Midden Eric
- Use Kay for identifying and naming marine shells
- Cite Ziegler for information on fish habitats
```
\subsection{Midden}
\label{sec:midden}

% Enter text below this line
```

No data entry beyond this line

\section{Results}
\label{sec:results}

This section presents the results of excavation.

<<artifacts>>

<<midden>>

TODO Introduction

Give the reader a brief overview of the project and its results.

\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:introduction}

% Text below this line

No data entry beyond this line

The LaTeX code here sets up the environment and inserts the defined source code blocks in their report order.
A call to org-babel-tangle produces the LaTeX report document.

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
<<intro>>
<<field-methods>>
<<results>>
\bibliographystyle{apa} 
\bibliography{mybib}
\end{document}