Reference databases and citation management systems play a crucial role in managing links to external references in DITA. These systems are instrumental in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of references and citations, which is essential for creating high-quality technical documentation.

Reference databases provide a centralized repository for storing reference information, such as links to external documents, standards, or sources. They enable easy storage, retrieval, and management of these references, making it simpler for content creators to link to relevant external resources within DITA documents.

Citation management systems, on the other hand, help maintain a consistent and standardized format for citing references throughout DITA content. They often support popular citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago, ensuring that references are formatted correctly. Content creators can simply refer to the stored references in the citation management system, making it easier to create accurate and consistent citations within DITA documents.

Below is an example illustrating the role of reference databases and citation management systems:

<p>To understand industry safety standards, refer to the <cite database="refs" key="safety-standard-xyz" />.</p>

In this example, the <cite> element references a database called “refs” and uses the key “safety-standard-xyz” to link to a specific reference stored in the database. The reference details are maintained in the reference database, and the citation management system ensures that it’s consistently formatted throughout the documentation.