dblatex

dblatex is a command-line tool that converts DocBook XML documents into various other formats, most notably PDF. It acts as a bridge between the semantic markup of DocBook and the presentational capabilities of typesetting systems. The primary function of dblatex is to take a DocBook source file and render it into a high-quality PDF document suitable for printing or digital distribution. It achieves this by leveraging the power of LaTeX, a well-established typesetting system, to perform the actual rendering. The conversion process involves parsing the DocBook XML, transforming it into LaTeX code, and then using a LaTeX engine (like pdfLaTeX or XeLaTeX) to produce the final output.

Beyond PDF, dblatex can also generate other formats, though PDF is its most common and robust output. The tool is highly configurable, allowing users to customize the appearance of the output through stylesheets and templates. This flexibility enables the creation of documents with specific branding, layouts, and typographical elements. dblatex is particularly useful for technical documentation, book publishing, and any scenario where a structured, semantic source format like DocBook is preferred for content creation and management, but a polished, professional output format like PDF is required. Its integration with the DocBook toolchain makes it a valuable component for many documentation workflows.