[Framers] Mixed DTDs in a single book

[Lynne A. Price]

On 7/25/2019 3:24 PM, Rick Quatro wrote:
> I have a book file that has two types of documents in it, each based on a
> different DTD and structured application. Each structured application calls
> a different XSLT stylesheet. Is there a way to save the book to XML and have
> FrameMaker use the correct struct apps for each file? Otherwise, maybe I
> combine the DTDs and stylesheets and use a single structured application?
> Suggestions are appreciated.
Rick,
    You'll need to provide a good deal more information to get concrete 
suggestions. I can share some thoughts.

    What do you plan to do with the generated XML? For example, is this 
for a project where the XML version of a book is the final delivery? IF 
so, is delivering different XML documents for different book components 
acceptable?

     It should be straightforward to script or use the FDK to export 
different book components separately so that each export uses its own 
application if that is acceptable.

     Alternatively, depending how much overlap there is between the two 
DTDs, it will be more or less difficult to make a superset DTD. For 
instance, if no element names appear in both DTDs, it should be 
straightforward. If there are some common element names, does either DTD 
require a subelement or attribute that are not defined or defined 
differently in the other? Do elements with the same name in both DTDs 
correspond to the same FM object type in both? If an element is a table, 
say, in one but a cross-reference or even a container in the other,  you 
have more work to do. You can always rename elements/attributes in the 
two DTDs to be unique and then convert both sets to common required 
names with XSLT.

    Are you allowed to change the FM documents or do you have to export 
based on what you have already? Do the DTDs already exist? If so, can 
you change them?

    Combining the two XSLT transforms may well be easier than combining 
the DTDs, especially if a combined transform can test which type of 
document it is processing.

    In any case, the different types of documents can use different EDDs 
and use different formats.

     --Lynne

-- 
Lynne A. Price
Text Structure Consulting, Inc.
Specializing in structured FrameMaker consulting, application development, and training
lprice at txstruct.com            http://www.txstruct.com
voice/fax: (510) 583-1505      cell phone: (510) 421-2284