"Any number" of elements.

Hello;

 

The DITA standard refers to “any number” of elements.  For example, a conbody can contain

 

( (dl
 or 
parml or 
fig or 
syntaxdiagram or 
imagemap or 
image or 
lines or 
lq or 
note or 
hazardstatement or 
object or 
ol or 
p or 
pre or 
codeblock or 
msgblock or 
screen or 
simpletable or 
sl or 
table or 
ul or 
data or 
data-about or 
draft-comment or 
foreign or 
unknown or 
required-cleanup) (any number)
then (section
 or 
example or 
conbodydiv) (any number)
)

 

Does “any number” mean “Zero and up” or “One and up”?  The FrameMaker 11 “concept” EDD uses the “*” symbol, which means “Zero and up” rather than “+”, which
 is “One and up”. (though I certainly don’t cite Frame as definitive!).  If I understand correctly (never a given), then

 

·       
If “any number” means “Zero and up”, then I should be able to insert a section immediately following a conbody.  That is...

 

<conbody>

   <section>

      <p></p>

   </section>

</conbody>

 

....because the <dl/>, <parml/> and other elements listed would be optional.  However, this is not possible in either Frame 11 or XMetaL 6.  Both tools
require some pre-existing element in the list.

 

·       
If “any number” means “One and up”, then I would be
required to end a conbody with a section (or example).  However, both Frame 11 and XMetaL 6 allow me to terminate the conbody without one.

 

The tool behavior seems inconsistent.  But regardless and ignoring the tool behavior, what is the formal definition of DITA on this point?  Can I
start a conbody with “section” (or example), must I end a conbody with “section” (or example) or am I just completely out to lunch?

 

Thanks much!

 

David S. Blyth (The UNIX dinosaur)

Sr. Staff Technical Writer

QTI

QUALCOMM – Standard disclaimers apply

 

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