S1000D

Introduction
S1000D is an extensible markup language (XML) initially created for technical writers and document writers to standardize specifications for the production of technical publications, specifically in the defense and aerospace industries. S1000D was an evolution of ATA 100 that was initially created for technical writers to construct government defense publications, but it was later decided to expand the use of S1000D for use by the civil aerospace industry. S1000D is used by document writers in the defense and aerospace industries to create standardized modular publications.

Overview
S1000D is based on Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), which was the precursor to HTML. It uses a hierarchy of files to categorize, encapsulate, and display the information written by technical writers for use in a publication.

S1000D uses XML to house information in blocks, or data layers, so that document writers can easily move information within a publication or between different documents. This allows data modules to be easily transferred or duplicated between publications. In aerospace manuals, for example, the technical description of an aircraft system will be used in several places throughout the operator’s manual, and a technical writer may need to use it more than once. The modularity of S1000D schemas allows technical communicators to drop in that information with minimal work.

S1000D publications use Common Source Data Bases (CSDB) to house the data modules created for each layer. Once a data module is saved to the CSDB, it is now accessible to all authors and editors of the document and may be repurposed as needed.

S1000D is free and open source, and it is maintained by the S1000D Steering Committee (SC). The Steering Committee offers schemas on their website for anyone wanting to use S1000D.

S1000D File Hierarchy
S1000D document files are created by choosing the appropriate schema layer, then adding text information, and finishing with visual/style instructions.



Use In Other Fields
Variations of S1000D have been created within other industries to solve the same problem of easily sharing information across Common Source Data Bases (CSDB). ShipDex is one example: it is used to share up-to-date maintenance and parts information within the commercial shipping industry. Shipping maintenance officers can now use searchable databases to find reliable maintenance instructions, which were recorded on paper or .pdf files, then hand-transferred into the proprietary databases of individual shipping companies.