Let's look at this glossary for examples of the very concepts herein. Entries must be entered and represented in some way. Different cases requires different ways of connecting together entries. The textual and the HTMLized versions can be translated to each other without loss. They are isomorphic .
Programs can process the text and translate it into HTML first after that.
Suck up information from Principia Cybernetica, which deals with very much the same issues and terminology. Check semiotics resources. Please read this copyright notice before redistributing or using.