(Nodes and) Links (cont.)

A hypertext link connects two nodes, and is normally directed, meaning that it has a source node and a destination node. Normally, a link is associated with a specific part of the source node, like a word, phrase or picture. This part is called the anchor of the link. The destination is the entire destination node. In some hypertext systems it is possible to designate a part of the destination node as the destination. We then talk about a source anchor and a destination anchor. In this course text for instance, most links to the list of references actually point to a specific bibliographic reference in that list. That item is the destination anchor.

Creating links is a difficult task for the author of a hyperdocument. There are two specific dangers:

The author has to find a compromise between providing few links, thus constraining the user, and providing an abundance of links, thus no longer pointing out which paths through the hyperdocument are interesting.