Linking mining terminology definitions within DITA content is essential for providing clarity and context to readers. It allows content creators to reference and explain specific terms or concepts, enhancing the overall understanding of mining documentation. Here are conventions for effectively linking terminology definitions in DITA:

Using indexterm Elements

DITA provides the indexterm element to link terms to their definitions. To link a term, you can wrap it with indexterm tags and specify the appropriate key or term to reference. For example:

<indexterm keyref="gold_mining">Gold mining</indexterm>

In this example, “Gold mining” is linked to its definition with the key reference “gold_mining.”

Creating Term Definitions

Define terminology in your DITA content using elements like glossentry or glossgroup. These elements allow you to provide detailed explanations, examples, and context for each term. For instance:

<glossentry id="gold_mining">
  <glossterm>Gold Mining</glossterm>
  <glossdef>
    <p>Gold mining refers to the process of extracting gold from the earth.</p>
    <p>It involves various techniques and equipment to recover gold deposits.</p>
  </glossdef>

In this example, “Gold Mining” is defined with detailed explanations.

Linking to Term Definitions

To link a term to its definition, use the xref element with the key reference of the term. For instance:

<p>Learn more about <xref keyref="gold_mining"/> in the glossary.</p>

This links to the “Gold Mining” definition within the glossary, providing readers with immediate access to the term’s meaning.