<link>

Processing expectations

When displayed, links are typically sorted based on their attributes, which define the type or role of the link target in relation to the current topic.

Content model

<linktext> ?, <desc> ?

Attributes

The following attributes are available on this element: link-relationship attributes, universal attributes, @keyref, @otherrole, and @role.

The following attributes are available on this element: universal attributes and the attributes defined below.

@format (link-relationship attributes)

Specifies the format of the resource that is referenced. See The format attribute for detailed information on supported values and processing implications.

@href (link-relationship attributes)

Specifies a reference to a resource. See The href attribute for detailed information on supported values and processing implications.

@keyref

Specifies a key name that acts as a redirectable reference based on a key definition within a map. See The keyref attribute for information on using this attribute.

For HDITA, the equivalent of @keyref is @data-keyref

@otherrole

Specifies an alternate role for a link relationship when the @role attribute is set to other.

@role

Specifies the role that a linked topic plays in relationship with the current topic.

For example, in a parent/child relationship, the role would be parent when the target is the parent of the current topic, and child when the target is the child of the current topic. This can be used to sort and classify links when rendering.

The following values are valid:

ancestor

Indicates a link to a topic above the parent topic.

child

Indicates a link to a direct child such as a directly nested or dependent topic.

cousin

Indicates a link to another topic in the same hierarchy that is not a parent, child, sibling, next, or previous.

descendant

Indicates a link to a topic below a child topic.

friend

Indicates a link to a similar topic that is not necessarily part of the same hierarchy.

next

Indicates a link to the next topic in a sequence.

other

Indicates any other kind of relationship or role. The type of role is specified as the value for the @otherrole attribute.

parent

Indicates a link to a topic that is a parent of the current topic.

previous

Indicates a link to the previous topic in a sequence.

sibling

Indicates a link between two children of the same parent topic.

-dita-use-conref-target

See Using the -dita-use-conref-target value for more information.

@scope (link-relationship attributes)

Specifies the closeness of the relationship between the current document and the referenced resource. The following values are valid: local, peer, external, and -dita-use-conref-target.

See The scope attribute for detailed information on supported values and processing implications.

@type (link-relationship attributes)

Describes the target of a reference. See The type attribute for detailed information on supported values and processing implications.