What role does content profiling play in maritime content reuse with DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Content profiling plays a crucial role in maritime content reuse when working with DITA XML. It involves defining and categorizing content based on various attributes, allowing for more efficient reuse across different documents and scenarios.

Structural Profiling

Structural profiling involves defining the structure and organization of content elements within a DITA document. For maritime content, this can include identifying common elements like procedures, safety guidelines, equipment descriptions, and more. By creating standardized structures, maritime organizations can ensure that similar content is consistently organized and can be easily reused in various documents.

Metadata Profiling

Metadata profiling involves assigning metadata attributes to content elements, making it easier to search for and retrieve specific pieces of information. For example, metadata attributes could include vessel type, equipment category, or operational scenario. By tagging content with relevant metadata, maritime organizations can quickly filter and reuse content that matches specific criteria.

Example:

Here’s an example of how content profiling can be applied in DITA XML:


<topic id="engine_maintenance" audience="mechanics">
  <title>Engine Maintenance</title>
  <metadata>
    <type>procedure</type>
    <vessel-type>tanker</vessel-type>
    <equipment>engine</equipment>
  </metadata>
  <body>
    <p>Perform routine maintenance on the engine.</p>
    <p>Ensure safety precautions are followed.</p>
  </body>

In this example, the content is profiled with metadata attributes such as “type,” “vessel-type,” and “equipment,” allowing for easy identification and reuse of engine maintenance procedures specific to tanker vessels.