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+# HLDS data format
+
+HLDS is the Haldis Language for Describing Servings. It defines the menu you see when ordering in
+Haldis.
+
+There is syntax highlighting support for editors in `etc/` in the Haldis repository.
+
+## Indentation
+Indentation requires hard **tabs**. Spaces will not work.
+
+## Identifiers
+You must choose an identifier for each location, dish, choice and option. Identifiers may consist
+of numbers, hyphens, underscores and lowercase letters.
+
+* Good: `my_identifier-007`
+* Bad: ~~`My Identifié 007`~~
+
+## Locations
+
+A HLDS file consists of one or more locations. Each location starts with a header, which enclosed
+in "fences" of at least three equal signs. The first line of the header contains the ID and name of
+the location.  Further lines contain the metadata of the location, such as the phone number and
+OpenStreetMap element. In the future, the phone number and such will be fetched from OpenStreetMap.
+
+```hlds
+==========================
+ocean_garden: Ocean Garden
+	osm     https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2275105003
+	phone   +32 9 222 72 74
+	address Zwijnaardsesteenweg 399, 9000 Gent
+	website http://oceangarden.byethost3.com/
+	# Comments are allowed too!
+==========================
+```
+
+## Dishes
+
+A location consists of dishes. Spaces can be used to align the elements of your dish (but that's
+not required).
+
+```hlds
+dish cheeseburger: Cheeseburger € 2.9
+dish assortment:   Twijfelaar   € 3
+```
+
+## Inline choices
+Dishes can contain choices. There are two types:
+* `single_choice` is a required choice where the user must choose one option.
+* `multi_choice` is an optional choice where the user can choose zero or more options.
+
+```hlds
+dish fries: Frietjes
+	single_choice size: Formaat
+		extra_small: Extra small € 1.8
+		small:       Small       € 2
+		medium:      Medium      € 2.5
+		large:       Large       € 3.3
+	multi_choice sauce: Saus
+		ketchup: Ketchup        € 1.4
+		mayo:    Mayonaise      € 1.4
+		bicky:   Bickysaus      € 1.4
+		stew:    Stoofvleessaus € 1.9
+```
+
+## Common choices
+Choices that are used more than once, can be declared once and referenced in multiple dishes.
+
+```hlds
+bami_nasi: Bami of nasi
+	bami: Bami
+	nasi: Nasi
+
+dish wok3: Studentenwok 3 kip bami/nasi zonder saus € 6
+	single_choice bami_nasi
+
+dish wok5: Studentenwok 5 babi pangang € 6
+	single_choice bami_nasi
+```
+
+## Descriptions
+You can add descriptions to dishes, choices and options. Separate name and description with ` -- `.
+
+```hlds
+dish dishid: Name -- This is a description € 3
+```
+
+## Tags
+
+**Note:** HLDS tags are not supported in Haldis yet. You can ignore them.
+
+You can add tags after ` :: `. Tags are `{identifier}`. You can use tags to attach more information
+about a dish or option in a structured way. For example: `{has_meat}` signals to vegetarians that
+they should avoid this.
+
+The order is always id, name, description, tags, price (not all have to be present of course).
+
+```hlds
+dish dishid: Name -- This is a description :: {has_meat} € 3
+```