The Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) specification defines a set of
document types for authoring and organizing topic-oriented information, as well as a set of
mechanisms for combining, extending, and constraining document types.
About the DITA specification: Overview
The DITA specification is delivered in three editions that are optimized for different audiences. Each edition consists of a written specification, XML grammar files, and DITA source.
About the DITA specification: Base edition
The base edition of the DITA specification is the smallest edition. It is designed for application developers and users who need only the most fundamental pieces of the DITA framework.
About the DITA specification: Technical content edition
The technical content edition of the DITA specification is the medium-sized edition. It is designed for users who use information typing and document complex applications and devices, such as software, hardware, medical devices, machinery, and more.
About the DITA specification: All-inclusive edition
The all-inclusive edition of the DITA specification is the largest edition. It is designed for implementers who want all OASIS-approved specializations, as well as users who develop learning and training materials.
Terminology
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT, "RECOMMEND", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119].
Non-normative references
Non-normative references are references to external documents or resources that implementers of DITA might find useful.
Formatting conventions in the XHTML version of the specification
Given the size and complexity of the specification, it is not generated as a single XHTML file. Instead, each DITA topic is rendered as a separate XHTML file. The XHTML version of the specification uses certain formatting conventions to aid readers in navigating through the specification and locating material easily: Link previews and navigation links.