DITA metadata

Metadata can be applied in both DITA topics and DITA maps. Metadata that is specified in DITA topics can be supplemented or overridden by metadata that is assigned in a DITA map. This design facilitates the reuse of DITA topics in different DITA maps and use-specific contexts.

DITA defines a core set of metadata elements to cover a variety of common scenarios. Because metadata requirements vary so widely, it is expected that few implementations will use the full range of these elements.

DITA also provides two generic elements, <data> and <othermeta>, which are intended for use when the core metadata elements do not provide the correct semantic. In addition, <data> is especially useful as a specialization base.

Requirements for rendering metadata vary widely. For that reason, any rendering of metadata in published content is left up to implementations.