This DITA XML tutorial will help you set up and use the DITA Open Toolkit open-source publishing system under Windows (tested on Windows XP).

Duration : 5 minutes

1. Download Java, then launch the installation program.
2. Download DITA Open Toolkit 1.5.4 on the desktop, then unzip DITA-OT1.5.4_full_easy_install_bin.zip.
3. Press the “Windows key” and the letter “R”.

   The Run Dialog Box appears.

4. Type cmd

   and press OK.

   A terminal window appears.

5. Paste the following command in the terminal window,then press Enter:

   cd Desktop\DITA-OT1.5.4_full_easy_install_bin\DITA-OT1.5.4


6. Paste the following command in the terminal window, then press Enter:

   startcmd.bat

   A new terminal window appears.

7. Paste the following command in the new terminal window, then press Enter:
   java -jar lib/dost.jar /i:samples/taskbook.ditamap /outdir:. /transtype:pdf2

   This command creates a PDF file from a DITA XML sample project.
   

Congratulations, you've just compiled your first DITA XML project! The taskbook.pdf target file is located in the Desktop\DITA-OT1.5.4_full_easy_install_bin\DITA-OT1.5.4 directory. Skip steps 1 and 2 to compile new projects.