New element <abstract>

You can now use a new element <abstract> in DITA topics. The <abstract> element can include complex markups besides the <shortdesc> element. You can put the <shortdesc> element inside the <abstract> element, together with many other elements. The following examples illustrate how you can use the <abstract> element..

If you use several <shortdesc> elements inside the <abstract> element, they will be concatenated when pulled for hover help. After you format the source files, the content inside the <abstract> element will be transformed into normal text.

Note:

Because OASIS DITA 1.1 is not yet an approved standard as of the release of DITA OT 1.3, the functionality described here should be considered a preview capability.
The specification and the defined functions that need to be supported can change by the time OASIS formally approves DITA 1.1.

Examples

Example 1

In DITA 1.0, you can only use the <shortdesc> element that cannot contain the <p> element.

 <shortdesc>This is a short description in DITA 1.0. It <b>cannot</b> contain paragraphs.</shortdesc>

Example 2

This example illustrates how you can use different elements besides <shortdesc> inside the <abstract> element, and apply different styles to the text inside the <abstract> element.

    <abstract>
        <shortdesc>This is the short description</shortdesc>
        <ol>
            <li>This is a <i>list</i>.</li>
        </ol>
        <p>This is a <b>paragraph</b>.</p>
        <codeblock>Here are some codes.</codeblock>
        <filepath>This is the file path.</filepath>
    </abstract>

Example 3

This example illustrates how you can use both the <shortdesc> element and plain text inside the <abstract> element.

 <abstract><shortdesc>This topic is about short description.</shortdesc>. 
Short description is very important, so read more.</abstract>