Activity on the DITA Open Toolkit project will revolve around
maintenance (bug fixes), enhancements (new function based on prioritized
requests), demos and experimentation (sandbox activity), and community
support (forums, etc.).
DITA Open Toolkit 1.0 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, the
developerWorks version known as "dita132." Because this is a
new project with a new name. a new home, and largely new code, and
because it is considered production-level code for XHTML output, the
project numbering has been initiated at 1.0 for the first built release.
The 1.0 version of code is still based on the dita132 DTDs
and Schemas.
Major improvements from dita132 include:
-
A new processing
architecture that includes a new preprocessing stage
-
Full conref
resolution in the preprocessor
-
Full conditional resolution
(filtering and flagging) in the preprocessor
-
Second pass
transformation into final output formats
-
Use of Ant and Java for
the processing sequence and utility code
-
A high-quality
transform for XHTML output based on code that IBM has tested and used for
the past 5 years
-
Translated libraries for generated text in 47
languages (accessed by region and country code)
Future plans:
Future development activity of the DITA Open Toolkit is based on the
end goal of providing a complete reference implementation for all core
output transforms. The anticipated order of work based on current
prioritizations (post 1.0) will be:
-
1.1: Develop the currently
demo-level FO transforms to support production-level, book-like
functionality with a generic format that can be easily interfaced for
particular corporate styles and branding. This will involve working
with the OASIS DITA Technical Committee to validate and endorse the
bookmap specialization of DITA map. (roughly matching the DITA TC 1.1
plan, based on the OASIS DITA 1.0-level DTDs and Schemas, expected to
be a Spec in this timeframe). This version will be based on the OASIS
DITA 1.0 level of DTDs and Schemas.
-
1.2 (roughly): Develop the
remaining demo-level help tools to support production-level output for
these output formats: Eclipse help with plugin support, HTML Help, and
JavaHelp. Also other new help formats as prioritized for this release
(such as manpage, QT Assistant, etc.). (roughly the 1.2 plan, based on
OASIS DITA 1.0-level DTDs and Schemas with any fixes known at that
point)
-
1.3 (roughly): Develop migrators for OASIS updates that
might impact existing DITA source. Other requirements as identified,
such as styling layers, custom package building from the project,
interfaces to translation standards such as XLIFF, and so forth.
The project will use the SourceForge RFE tool to accept new
requirements. These will be prioritized for placement into plan
according to the process in the Development Process document.