docbookxsl

DocBook XSL is a collection of XSLT stylesheets used to transform DocBook XML documents into various output formats. DocBook is a semantic markup language designed for technical documentation. DocBook XSL provides the processing rules to convert these structured XML files into human-readable formats such as HTML, PDF, EPUB, and plain text.

The primary purpose of DocBook XSL is to separate content from presentation. Authors write their documentation using DocBook XML, focusing on the structure and meaning of the content. The DocBook XSL stylesheets then apply specific formatting rules to render this content according to the desired output medium. This separation allows for easy repurposing of the same source content into multiple formats without significant re-editing.

Key features of DocBook XSL include its extensibility and configurability. Users can customize the output by modifying the XSLT stylesheets or by using configuration files. This flexibility enables organizations to tailor the appearance and structure of their documentation to meet specific branding guidelines or user requirements. The stylesheets handle complex tasks like generating tables of contents, indexes, cross-references, and managing navigation for HTML output.

DocBook XSL is typically used with an XSLT processor, such as Saxon or Xalan, to perform the transformation. The process involves feeding the DocBook XML source file and the relevant DocBook XSL stylesheet into the processor, which then generates the target output file. This approach has made DocBook XSL a popular choice for generating professional-quality technical documentation across various industries.