Getting started

This section contains introductory information about DITA, DITA Open Tooklit (OT), this document, and where to get more information about DITA and the Toolkit.

1. Read the topics in Evaluating DITA and DITA Open Toolkit for suggestions on how to evaluate for use in your environment, and how to choose your initial pilot project.
2. Be sure your system environment meets the requirements in System requirements and supported applications.
3. Install and become familiar with the authoring tool you plan to use to create DITA content. For information about choosing and installing an authoring tool, see topics in Installation overview.
4. Install DITA Open Toolkit and its prerequisite tools. For an overview of the installation process, see Installation overview. Step-by-step installation instructions are in the same section.
5. Set up your DITA source file and processing (build) environments. Information and instructions are in Setting up your working environment.
6. Process (build) the garage sample, provided for your use and reference. For information about processing, see Processing.
7. Create a few demo-level DITA topics and a map to aggregate them, and process them in the same way you did the garage sample files. For instructions, see Creating DITA topics and Creating DITA maps.
8. When you feel comfortable with the basics, expand your DITA skill by reading introductory DITA texts, working through DITA tutorials, and taking courses on using DITA. For additional sources of information about DITA and DITA Open Toolkit, see Getting information (general).
9. Before you jump into more ambitious DITA projects, do a thorough information analysis of your existing content and future requirements, and map out an efficient and effective expansion plan.
10. As you gain skill and tackle more complex DITA projects, use this document and others you collect along the way for guidance and reference.