Thinking Outside Conventional Aerospace and Defense Technical Publications Using Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML)

ABSTRACT

In Aerospace and Defense, documentation is of a very large size, highly structured and needs constant updating. Managing this documentation has been a constant challenge to this industry. Moreover accuracy of data is a critical aspect of constant worry to publication managers.

At present, documentation is being created using traditional publishing software resulting in wastage of time and effort. Time is spent in formatting documents instead of creation of content. Each time a document is created or updated formatting has to be applied manually. Preparing documents for print or web requires complete reformatting. Content is not structured across similar types of publications resulting in no consistency.

Standard Generalized Mark-up Language (SGML) allows a document to be broken up into modules allowing reusability. SGML enforces content to be developed in a structured manner maintaining consistency across publications. This structured approach is achieved using a Document Type Definition (DTD). Separation of content from formatting is achieved using Format Output Specification Instance (FOSI).

Keywords:

Standard generalized mark-up language, document type definition, and format output specification instance, technical publications.