DITA1.2: Query on <desc> element's content in a key referencing<link> element

Hi All,

 

I would like to have some additional input on section “2.1.3.4.3.3
Processing key references” in the Specs_Review#5.

 

The specs say that “For
<link> tags with a keyref attribute, the contents of the <shortdesc>
tag in the key-defining element should provide the <desc> contents.”

The question I have is how should
DITA processors handle insertion of links in such a case. As per my
understanding I have come to these conclusions for linktext and desc elements-

On insertion of <link>
element the <linktext> element would automatically get the effective
content from topicmeta’s <linktext> element. In case the element has
been provided alternate text by the author, the processor should honour that
and not bring in content from the topicmeta of the key-defining element.

 

Now coming to my question-

What should the processor
ideally do with the linktext’s <desc> element if the topicmeta
provides a <shortdesc> element. 

Should the <shortdesc>
element be pulled in automatically *every time* the links are created?

OR the <desc>
element should be populated with content only when the user inserts the <desc>
element and also in case where the topic has an empty <desc> element for
that <link> element.

 

Regards,

Nakshatra