Introduction DocBook and DITA are markup languages used for technical documentation. Both can be used to generate the HTML output, PDF and CHM formats. However, there is a big difference between these two tools, both of which use very different approaches. The right tool for the documentation depends on your needs and your organization.

DocBook

DocBook is a markup language and is used for technical documentation of all kinds.

Allows users to create documents that can be published in various formats like HTML and PDF without making any changes in the source code.

The format is based on DocBook XML, which makes it easier to read by both humans and machines.

Advantages of DocBook:

• Same document can be translated into both web based and print the document format.
• The user can focus on content rather than form.
• It has very good documentation.
• It provides good support.
• It is useful for delivery documents such as individual books.

Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)

Dita is a recent innovation in the XML publication.

The name refers to:

• Darwin: Use the principles of specialization and inheritance.
• Enter Information: Identify the topics that contain different types of information, as a concept, and reference tasks.
• Architecture: Provides a space for new applications and by extension within the available applications.

Dita is working on a modular approach. In DITA, each component of information is considered as an issue. These items can be combined and reused to form documents. Dita has a number of types of issues, such as task, concept and reference. One of the issues paper describes the procedure for performing a task. Concept consists of definitions, rules, etc. A reference topic explains the directions and various reference materials. You can define a new item type specialization. Specialization allows you to create a new item on the basis of the properties of an item existing.

Dita Advantages:

• Encapsulation: Each person is responsible for their work, thereby increasing security. For example, a person This is a topic you need to know the elements related to the type of issue, whereas the person using the item only needs to know how to use it.
• Polymorphism: items that can be created as more commonly used generic categories.
• Themes can be easily reused.
• XML can be easily modified to meet the needs of the user.

The differences between DocBook and DITA

• DocBook has been available for many years and is solid and strong compared to DITA.
• DocBook was originally designed for printing and PDF output, but has now been expanded to create online Help. Dita is not intended for printed output, but it was designed to use the concept of theme and types of issues.
• DocBook uses the hierarchy, while doing Dita subjects separately, which can be combined as required.
• DocBook has a fixed set of elements. Dita is expandable, allowing the user to add more items to individual needs.
• DocBook is well documented, while Dita is too new to be well documented.
• The expansion of XML is better supported by Dita to DocBook.

Conclusion

Dita makes it easier to reuse content. This is useful if you want to use many issues. However, if you are writing a single long document like a book, DocBook would be a more reliable option.

Brian Tracy – 19 Time management and success E-books free download

Garmin GPSMAP 76 Waterproof Handheld GPS $199.99 The key to success in life is knowing where you are, where you've been, and where you're going. Garmin's full-featured GPSMAP 76 puts all of that information in the palm of your hand, mapping your movements off-road or on--and even afloat. Plus, its extensive features, PC connectivity, and extensive add-on map options make it powerful enough for practically any need. About the size of a small pap...

The 48 Laws of Power $11.65 Looks unread with inked note to flyleaf....

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert $7.00 According to most relationship books, the key to a solid marriage is communication, communication, communication. Phooey, says John Gottman, Ph.D., author of the much-lauded Why Marriages Succeed or Fail. There's much more to a solid, "emotionally intelligent" marriage than sharing every feeling and thought, he points out--though most couples therapists ineffectively (and expensively) harp on...

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Collins Business Essentials) $6.60 Arguably the best book ever on what is increasingly becoming the science of persuasion. Whether you're a mere consumer or someone weaving the web of persuasion to urge others to buy or vote for your product, this is an essential book for understanding the psychological foundations of marketing. Recommended....