Convert ADOC to DOCBOOK

Why Convert ADOC to DocBook?

Converting AsciiDoc to DocBook is essential when you need to integrate your documentation into professional publishing workflows or enterprise documentation systems. While AsciiDoc excels at quick, readable authoring, DocBook provides the semantic richness and standardization required for large-scale technical publishing.

DocBook is the industry standard for technical documentation, used by major publishers like O'Reilly Media, Red Hat, and the Linux Documentation Project. Its XML-based structure enables sophisticated single-source publishing - producing print books, online help, PDF manuals, and web documentation from a single source. The semantic markup captures the meaning of content (not just appearance), making it ideal for content management systems and automated processing.

The conversion preserves your document's logical structure - chapters become <chapter> elements, sections become <section>, code blocks become <programlisting>, and admonitions map to <note>, <warning>, etc. This semantic mapping ensures your content gains the full benefits of DocBook's rich vocabulary while maintaining the information you captured in AsciiDoc.

Key Benefits of Converting ADOC to DocBook:

• Professional Publishing: Access O'Reilly and enterprise publishing toolchains
• Single-Source Publishing: Generate PDF, HTML, EPUB, CHM from one source
• Schema Validation: Ensure document structure correctness
• XSLT Customization: Full control over output formatting
• Long-term Archival: Industry-standard format for documentation preservation
• Interoperability: Exchange documents with DocBook-based systems
• Rich Metadata: Support for revision history, legal notices, bibliographies

Practical Examples

Example 1: Technical Documentation

Input AsciiDoc file (manual.adoc):

= Installation Guide
:author: Documentation Team
:version: 2.0

== System Requirements

Before installing, ensure your system meets these requirements:

* Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows 10+
* Memory: 4GB RAM minimum
* Disk Space: 500MB free

== Installation Steps

. Download the installer from the official website
. Run the installer with administrator privileges
. Follow the on-screen instructions

WARNING: Back up your data before proceeding.

Output DocBook file (manual.xml):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<book xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook" version="5.0">
  <info>
    <title>Installation Guide</title>
    <author><personname>Documentation Team</personname></author>
    <releaseinfo>2.0</releaseinfo>
  </info>
  <chapter>
    <title>System Requirements</title>
    <para>Before installing, ensure your system meets these requirements:</para>
    <itemizedlist>
      <listitem><para>Operating System: Linux, macOS, or Windows 10+</para></listitem>
      <listitem><para>Memory: 4GB RAM minimum</para></listitem>
      <listitem><para>Disk Space: 500MB free</para></listitem>
    </itemizedlist>
  </chapter>
  <chapter>
    <title>Installation Steps</title>
    <orderedlist>
      <listitem><para>Download the installer...</para></listitem>
    </orderedlist>
    <warning><para>Back up your data before proceeding.</para></warning>
  </chapter>
</book>

Example 2: API Reference

Input AsciiDoc file (api.adoc):

== getUserById

Retrieves a user by their unique identifier.

.Parameters
[cols="1,1,3"]
|===
|Name |Type |Description

|id
|integer
|The unique user identifier

|===

.Example Request
[source,bash]
----
curl -X GET https://api.example.com/users/123
----

NOTE: Requires authentication token.

Output DocBook file (api.xml):

<section>
  <title>getUserById</title>
  <para>Retrieves a user by their unique identifier.</para>
  <table>
    <title>Parameters</title>
    <tgroup cols="3">
      <thead>
        <row><entry>Name</entry><entry>Type</entry><entry>Description</entry></row>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <row><entry>id</entry><entry>integer</entry><entry>The unique user identifier</entry></row>
      </tbody>
    </tgroup>
  </table>
  <example>
    <title>Example Request</title>
    <programlisting language="bash">curl -X GET https://api.example.com/users/123</programlisting>
  </example>
  <note><para>Requires authentication token.</para></note>
</section>

Example 3: Book Chapter with Code

Input AsciiDoc file (chapter.adoc):

== Getting Started with Python

Python is a versatile programming language.

=== Your First Program

Create a file called `hello.py`:

[source,python]
----
def greet(name):
    """Return a greeting message."""
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print(greet("World"))
----

TIP: Use a virtual environment for project isolation.

Output DocBook file (chapter.xml):

<chapter>
  <title>Getting Started with Python</title>
  <para>Python is a versatile programming language.</para>
  <section>
    <title>Your First Program</title>
    <para>Create a file called <filename>hello.py</filename>:</para>
    <programlisting language="python"><![CDATA[
def greet(name):
    """Return a greeting message."""
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print(greet("World"))
]]></programlisting>
    <tip><para>Use a virtual environment for project isolation.</para></tip>
  </section>
</chapter>

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is DocBook?

A: DocBook is an XML-based markup language designed specifically for technical documentation. Developed as an OASIS standard, it provides a rich vocabulary of semantic elements for books, articles, and reference documentation. Unlike presentation-focused formats, DocBook captures the meaning of content, enabling sophisticated single-source publishing.

Q: Why use DocBook instead of staying with AsciiDoc?

A: DocBook is preferred when you need professional publishing workflows, schema validation, enterprise documentation systems, or maximum control over output formatting via XSLT. It's the standard for publishers like O'Reilly and organizations with complex documentation requirements. AsciiDoc is better for authoring; DocBook is better for publishing infrastructure.

Q: Will my AsciiDoc formatting be preserved?

A: Yes! The conversion maps AsciiDoc elements to their DocBook equivalents. Sections become <section>, code blocks become <programlisting>, admonitions (NOTE, WARNING, TIP) map to <note>, <warning>, <tip>, tables convert to DocBook table markup, and inline formatting is preserved. The semantic meaning of your content is maintained.

Q: Which DocBook version is generated?

A: The converter produces DocBook 5.x by default, which uses XML namespaces and RELAX NG schema. DocBook 5 is the current standard and recommended for new projects. If you need DocBook 4.x (DTD-based) for legacy systems, the output can typically be transformed using standard DocBook tools.

Q: How do I process DocBook output?

A: DocBook files are processed using XSLT stylesheets. The DocBook XSL stylesheets can generate HTML, PDF (via FO processors like Apache FOP), EPUB, man pages, and more. Tools like Saxon (XSLT processor), XMLmind XML Editor, or Oxygen XML provide complete DocBook workflows. Many organizations use custom XSLT for branded output.

Q: Can I convert DocBook back to AsciiDoc?

A: Yes, tools like Pandoc can convert DocBook to AsciiDoc, though some semantic information may be simplified. Asciidoctor also provides DocBook import capabilities. However, the round-trip isn't always perfect - DocBook's richer element vocabulary may not have exact AsciiDoc equivalents.

Q: Is DocBook suitable for web publishing?

A: DocBook is designed for multi-format publishing, including web. The DocBook XSL stylesheets can generate chunked HTML (one page per section), single-page HTML, or HTML5. Many documentation sites use DocBook as their source format, processing it into web-ready HTML with navigation, search, and styling.

Q: What about images and diagrams in my AsciiDoc?

A: Images are converted to DocBook <mediaobject> or <figure> elements with proper <imagedata> references. The image files themselves remain external. Diagram blocks (if using Asciidoctor Diagram) should be pre-rendered to images before conversion, as DocBook doesn't natively support diagram DSLs.