5. Suggestions for writing files
Now you’re ready to begin writing larger LilyPond input files –
not just the little examples in the tutorial, but whole pieces.
But how should you go about doing it?
As long as LilyPond can understand your input files and produce
the output that you want, it doesn’t matter what your input files
look like. However, there are a few other things to consider when
writing LilyPond input files.
- What if you make a mistake? The structure of a LilyPond
file can make certain errors easier (or harder) to find.
- What if you want to share your input files with somebody
else? In fact, what if you want to alter your own input files in
a few years? Some LilyPond input files are understandable at
first glance; others may leave you scratching your head
for an hour.
- What if you want to upgrade your LilyPond file for use
with a later version of LilyPond? The input syntax changes
occasionally as LilyPond improves. Most changes can be
done automatically with
convert-ly, but some changes
might require manual assistance. LilyPond input files can be
structured in order to be easier (or harder) to update.