When you have to update a publication, it can be hard to know which objects you need to update. For example:
To update a topic, do you have to create a new version of the map? No, you only need to create a new version of the topic. The maps control the objects that are included in the map, their sequence, and their attributes. But the map does not control the version of the topic that is used in the map. That means, you can use the same version of a map in two different publications or different versions of the same publication, and select different versions of the topic in a map.
To change the XML Attributes of a topic, do you need to create a new version of the topic? No, but you do need to create a new version of the map because you’re modifying the topicref and not the contents of the topic.
To determine which object needs a new version, you need to understand what each object controls:
Map: Controls the topics and maps that are referenced and the order/structure.
Publication: Controls the version of the objects that are being used.
Topic: Controls the content.
The table lists cases where you need to create new versions of objects.
Important:
To make changes to a publication that is released, you must create a new version of the publication.
What you need to change
What you version if it’s Released
Update the contents of a topic
Create a new version of the topic. You do not need to create a new version of the chapter map or bookmap.
Update the XML Attributes of a topic
Create a new version of the map but not the topic.
You are not changing the contents of the topic, but modifying the attributes of the topicref element in the map.
Note:
If you try to access the XML Attributes of a topic in a map that is released, the system prompts you to create a new version of the map, so you will know for which object you need to create a version.
Modify the structure of a chapter (such as, adding or removing a topic)
Create a new version of the chapter but not of the bookmap.
Add a new chapter
Create a new version of the bookmap but you do not need to create a new version of the map you’re adding or deleting.
Update the XML Attributes of a map
Create a new version of the bookmap or map that includes the topicref.
Similar to the topic, you are not changing the contents of the map in this case. You are only modifying the attributes of the topicref element in the bookmap or higher-level map.
Note:
If you try to access the XML Attributes of a map and the bookmap or higher-level map is released, the system prompts you to create a new version of the bookmap or higher-level map, so you will know which one you need to version.
Change the version of a topic or map being used in a publication
Create a new version of the publication if the publication is released.
Changing the publication properties
Create a new version of the publication if the publication is released.
