Modular Help development breaks the creation of a large documentation project down into a set of smaller component pieces. Each component—containing, perhaps, one chapter of the overall project—becomes a separate document and Help file. The components are linked or merged together into a seamless single system, giving the end user appearance and functionality indistinguishable from a single large Help file.
In the context of ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2007, each component project in a modular Help system is a separate Doc-To-Help project, with its own folder, document file(s), and so forth, creating its own Help file. A separate hub project links the components together.
When you decide to take a modular approach with a Help system, you don't want to lose any functionality. You want to be able to generate the same high quality WinHelp and HTML Help systems as you would with a single project. Following the instructions in this chapter will ensure this. Before using modular Help, be aware that modular Help is Help target specific and you cannot produce a printed manual from a modular Help project.
Note: Do not confuse modular development with a Doc-To-Help multifile project. In a multifile project, multiple .DOC Word document or .HTM HTML document files are compiled together into one Help file. In a modular project, there are different source documents, different Doc-To-Help projects, and different Help files, which are then made to appear to the user as one file.
More:
Managing Your Modular Help System
Creating a Modular Help Project for WinHelp