RE: [dita] Question about syntax for the @anchorref attribute

Section 3.1.2.1.1 map in the spec doesn't make clear what the datatype of the anchorref attribute is. I would have assumed it was an href type (like conref) and hence should be a DITA-style URI reference. In that case, any value without the # fragment identifier character and without an initial URI scheme (e.g., the http:// part) would be a relative file path. So anchorref="a1" would point to a file named "a1" in the same directory as the current map document and anchorref="map1.ditamap/a1" would point to a file named "a1" in a subdirectory named "map1.ditamap" (neither of which is probably what we meant to say here).

But maybe anchorref isn't an href type attribute. I couldn't really say. I hope someone else who knows better chimes in.

paul

From: Kristen Eberlein [mailto:keberlein@sdl.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 2010 November 30 7:07
To: dita@lists.oasis-open.org
Subject: [dita] Question about syntax for the @anchorref attribute

Hi, TC members.

I’ve been asked about the correct syntax for the @anchorref attribute on the <map> element. As I’ve read through various spec topics, I’ve gotten confused. I think this might be an area that that we need to consider for future clarification.

Question

In map1.ditamap, an anchor is defined with an @id attribute set to “a1”.

<title>MyComponent tasks</title>

<anchor id="a1"/>

</topicref>

</map>

In map2.ditamap, which contains the content to be pulled into map1.ditamap at the anchor point, what syntax should be used for the @anchorref attribute?

<title>This map is pulled into the MyComponent task map</title>

...

</map>

And I assume that map2.ditamap must be referenced somewhere in map1.ditamap in order for the <anchor> element to be resolved?

Topics in the DITA 1.2 spec

The topics in the DITA 1.2 spec suggest several distinct possibilities; which is correct?

2.1.2.2.3 DITA map elements

http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.2/cs01/spec/archSpec/ditamap-elements.html#ditamap-elements

Read down to the “Example of maps that use the <anchor> element and the @anchorref attribute” section; it suggests that the syntax should be as follows:

<map anchorref="a1">

...

</map>

3.1.2.1.1 map

http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.2/cs01/spec/langref/map.html#map

The explanation for the @anchorref attribute suggests that the syntax should be the following:

<map id="B" anchorref="map1.ditamap/a1”>

...

</map>

2.1.3.4.2 URI-based (direct) addressing

http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.2/cs01/spec/archSpec/uri-based-addressing.html#uri-based-addressing

The section titled “URI reference syntax examples” lists the following syntax for targeting an element within a map:

"http://example.com/map.ditamap#elementID" (and a value of "ditamap" for the format attribute)

Best regards,

Kris

Kristen James Eberlein l DITA Architect and Technical Specialist l SDL Structured Content Technologies Division l (t) + 1 (919) 682-2290 l keberlein@sdl.com

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