What is the purpose of the <prolog> element in DITA topics?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

In DITA topics, the <prolog> element serves the purpose of providing essential metadata and introductory information about the topic. It is located at the beginning of a DITA topic document and contains information that sets the context for the topic’s content. The <prolog> element is not always required but can be valuable for organizing, categorizing, and managing topics within a DITA-based documentation system.

The <prolog> element in DITA topics is involved with metadata, introduction, linking information, and content organization.

Metadata:

The <prolog> element can include metadata that describes various aspects of the topic. This metadata can include information such as the topic’s title, authorship, revision history, subject matter, and audience. Metadata helps with content management, search, retrieval, and understanding the topic’s context.

Introduction:

The <prolog> element can contain introductory content that provides an overview or summary of the topic’s purpose and content. This introductory information helps readers quickly understand the topic’s relevance and decide whether to delve deeper into its content.

Linking Information:

It may include links or references to related topics or resources. These links can help readers navigate to other relevant topics or sources of information within the documentation.

Content Organization:

The <prolog> element contributes to the organization of topics within a larger document or publication. It helps establish the topic’s place within the document’s structure and guides readers in navigating the document.

Example:


        <topic id="sample-topic">
            <title>Getting Started with DITA Authoring</title>
            <prolog>
                <metadata>
                    <author>John Doe</author>
                    <audience>Technical Writers</audience>
                </metadata>
                <introduction>
                    <p>This topic provides an overview of the DITA authoring process and introduces key concepts.</p>
                </introduction>
                <related-links>
                    <link href="advanced-dita-authoring.dita">Advanced DITA Authoring</link>
                </related-links>
            </prolog>
            <body>
                <!-- Main content of the topic goes here -->
            </body>
        </topic>