# Primer

```{admonition} Objectives
:class: note

This Primer to the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) will help you get started with publishing OCDS data. It exists to define core concepts for understanding the OCDS and direct you to the relevant sections of the documentation based on your needs.
```

In this Primer, you will find resources to help you answer these questions:

* [What is the OCDS and why use it?](what)
* [How does the OCDS work?](how)
* [How is OCDS data published?](releases_and_records)
* [How can I implement the OCDS?](next)

Beyond the Primer, you can use the following resources contained in the OCDS documentation to help you implement the OCDS. The remainder of the documentation covers:

* [Guidance](../guidance/index): Step-by-step instructions on how to design and implement an OCDS publication, including helpful tools and examples
* [Reference](../schema/index): Describing the specific rules that need to be followed to publish OCDS data
* [Getting help](../support/index): Outlining how you can get free support and how you can participate in the OCDS community
* [Governance](../governance/index): Details about the stewardships, development, and revisions process for the OCDS
* [History](../history/index): Information about the changes in each version of the OCDS
* [Data Review Tool](https://standard.open-contracting.org/review/): A tool to help check whether your data is following the OCDS correctly

```{note}
**To learn more about the OCDS,** go to the next page in the primer: [What is the OCDS and why use it?](what) To learn more about open contracting in general, go to:

* [OCP Website](https://www.open-contracting.org/)
* [OCP Learning](https://www.open-contracting.org/learn/)
```

```{toctree}
:hidden:

what
how
releases_and_records
next
```