What role does conditional processing play in tailoring geological documentation for different survey types, geological contexts, and reporting formats?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Conditional processing in DITA is a valuable feature for tailoring geological documentation to different survey types, geological contexts, and reporting formats. It allows content creators to provide specialized information based on specific conditions or variables, ensuring that documentation remains relevant and adaptable to various scenarios.

Customized Documentation

With conditional processing, geological documentation can be customized to address the unique needs of different survey types. For example, when documenting soil surveys versus mineral exploration surveys, different methodologies and data collection techniques may apply. DITA enables authors to include or exclude content blocks based on the survey type, providing targeted information to users.

Adaptation to Geological Contexts

Geological contexts can vary significantly, from geological formations to environmental conditions. Conditional processing allows authors to create content variants that are context-specific. This means that documentation can dynamically adapt to the geological context at hand, offering relevant insights and recommendations tailored to the specific geological conditions being encountered.

Flexible Reporting Formats

Reporting formats can vary based on the audience and purpose of the geological documentation. Some reports may require detailed technical data, while others may need simplified summaries. DITA’s conditional processing capabilities enable content creators to generate different reporting formats from a single source, ensuring that the documentation aligns with the reporting requirements of diverse stakeholders.

Example:

Here’s an example of how conditional processing can be applied in DITA to tailor geological documentation:


<topic id="geological_survey">
  <title>Geological Survey</title>
  <body>
    <conditional-branch>
      <prop att="survey-type" val="soil">
        <section>
          <title>Soil Survey</title>
          <p>This section provides information on soil survey methodologies and analysis techniques.</p>
        </section>
      </prop>
      <prop att="survey-type" val="mineral-exploration">
        <section>
          <title>Mineral Exploration Survey</title>
          <p>This section discusses mineral exploration survey methods and data interpretation.</p>
        </section>
      </prop>
    </conditional-branch>
  </body>
</topic>

In this example, conditional processing based on the “survey-type” attribute allows the geological documentation to include relevant sections for either soil surveys or mineral exploration surveys, ensuring that users receive content tailored to their specific needs.