Customizing the DITA-OT
Provided by the content strategy experts at Scriptorium, this course introduces you to customizing the DITA Open Toolkit through lessons and hands-on exercises. You’ll learn installation and testing basics, explore custom plugin development, work with XSLT templates, extension points, Apache Ant, and more. By the end, you’ll understand best practices for DITA-OT development and be ready to explore on your own.
Need support while you’re working with the DITA-OT? Try our office hours to discuss your configuration needs, questions, and more with a DITA-OT expert!
Prerequisites: understanding of DITA topics, structures, and reuse mechanisms
Length: approximately 12 hours
Module 1: Housekeeping and installation
- DITA-OT prerequisites
- Installing Java
- Installing and testing the DITA-OT
- Supporting programs
Module 2: Introduction to the DITA-OT
- Plugin types
- DITA-OT tools
- Running the DITA-OT
Module 3: Introduction to plugins
- Overview of plugin structure
- Stylesheets
- Templates
Module 4: Walkthrough exercise: XSL templates
- Override templates
- Adding an override template
- Adding custom CSS
Module 5: XSLT processing
- What is XSLT?
- XSLT processing behavior
- Template types
- Template walkthrough
Module 6: XSLT workflow exercise
- Introduction
- Workflow overview
- Adding a custom footer
- Adding a variable for copyright year
Module 7: Extension points part 1: String files
- Creating a string file
- Creating a string catalog
- Adding an extension point
- Using getVariable
- Debugging the string file
Module 8: Extension points part 2: Parameters
- Introduction to Apache Ant
- Adding an Ant target
- Creating a parameter file
- Adding the parameter extension point
- Catching and using the parameter in XSLT