The <index> element in DITA is employed to create an index or list of terms and their references within DITA content. An index is a valuable tool for readers, as it allows them to quickly locate specific terms or topics within a document or a collection of documents. Properly utilizing the <index> element helps organize and present information in a user-friendly manner.

Creating an Index

When using the <index> element, follow these key steps to create an effective index:

1. Identify Key Terms: Determine the terms or concepts that you want to include in the index. These terms should be relevant to the content and serve as entry points for readers.
2. Link to References: For each term in the index, create links or references to the locations where those terms are discussed or explained within your content. This allows readers to easily navigate to the relevant sections.
3. Alphabetical Order: Organize the index entries alphabetically. This helps readers quickly locate terms of interest.

Example:

Here’s an example of how the <index> element can be used in DITA to create an index:

<index>
  <indexterm>Documentation</indexterm>
  <indexterm>Index</indexterm>
  <indexterm>Terms</indexterm>
  <indexterm>References</indexterm>
  <indexterm>Readers</indexterm>
  <indexterm>Content</indexterm>
</index>

In this example, the <index> element contains a list of terms, each represented by an <indexterm> element. These terms serve as entry points to the corresponding sections or topics in the content where they are discussed.