How is specialization documentation structured and organized in DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Specialization documentation in DITA is structured and organized following a predefined format to provide consistency and clarity for content authors. Here’s an overview of how it is typically structured and organized:

1. Title and Overview: Specialization documentation typically begins with a clear title and an overview of the specialization. This section provides an introduction to what the specialization is about.

2. Purpose and Use Cases: The purpose of the specialization and its intended use cases are explained. This section helps content authors understand when and why to use the specialization.

3. Element Descriptions: Detailed descriptions of each specialized element within the specialization are included. This includes explanations of the element’s purpose, attributes, and how it differs from standard DITA elements.

4. Usage Examples: Concrete usage examples illustrate how to use the specialized elements within topics. These examples help content authors grasp the practical implementation of the specialization.

5. Customization Instructions: If the specialization allows for customization, this section provides guidance on how to do so. It may include information on adding or modifying attributes, creating constraints, or extending the specialization for specific use cases.

6. Best Practices: Specialization documentation often includes best practices and guidelines for content authors. This ensures that the specialization is used effectively and consistently.

7. Related Elements: Information about elements related to the specialization may be included. This could be references to other specializations or standard DITA elements that work in conjunction with the specialization.

8. Version and Change History: Some organizations include a section detailing the version history of the specialization and the changes made in each version. This is particularly useful when dealing with evolving specializations.

9. Metadata and Keywords: Metadata and keywords may be used to tag the specialization documentation, making it easier to search, categorize, and retrieve within a documentation repository.

Overall, the structured and organized format of specialization documentation in DITA ensures that content authors can easily understand, implement, and work with specialized elements in a consistent and efficient manner.

Example:


<!-- Example structure of a DITA specialization documentation topic -->
<topic id="specialization-documentation">
  <title>Specialization Documentation for <element-name></title>
  <body>
    <overview></overview>
    <purpose></purpose>
    <element-descriptions></element-descriptions>
    <usage-examples></usage-examples>
    <customization-instructions></customization-instructions>
    <best-practices></best-practices>
    <related-elements></related-elements>
    <version-history></version-history>
    <metadata></metadata>
  </body>