DITA1.2: Query on <desc> element's content in a key referencing<link> element

[Nakshatra Bhardwaj <nbhardwa@adobe.com>]

Hi All,

 

I would like to have some additional input on section “2.1.3.4.3.3 Processing key references” in the Specs_Review#5.

 

The specs say that “For <link> tags with a keyref attribute, the contents of the <shortdesc> tag in the key-defining element should provide the <desc> contents.”

The question I have is how should DITA processors handle insertion of links in such a case. As per my understanding I have come to these conclusions for linktext and desc elements-

On insertion of <link> element the <linktext> element would automatically get the effective content from topicmeta’s <linktext> element. In case the element has been provided alternate text by the author, the processor should honour that and not bring in content from the topicmeta of the key-defining element.

 

Now coming to my question-

What should the processor ideally do with the linktext’s <desc> element if the topicmeta provides a <shortdesc> element.

Should the <shortdesc> element be pulled in automatically *every time* the links are created?

OR the <desc> element should be populated with content only when the user inserts the <desc> element and also in case where the topic has an empty <desc> element for that <link> element.

 

Regards,

Nakshatra