ODA and SGML: An assessment of co-existence possibilities

Given the existence of two standards for text processing systems that accomplish similar goals, with similar means, but dissimilar results, the authors seek to reconcile the two. Office Document Architecture (ODA) and Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) are found to have no fundamental incompatibilities, opening the way to either formally melding them into a single internationally recognized standard or through practical implementations forming a de facto standard that encompasses both. The conclusion is that the latter is most likely to occur, but in any case either is preferable to the current situation.