rfc-2119: Difference between revisions

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<h1><nowiki>RFC 2119</nowiki></h1>
=RFC2119=


[http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt RFC 2119] is often used for expressing requirements in documents by IETF, W3C,  [http://microformats.org microformats.org], and others.
==Definitions==
RFC2119 gives the following definitions:


The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in such documents are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119.
# '''MUST''' This word, or the terms "'''REQUIRED'''" or "'''SHALL'''", mean that the definition is an absolute requirement of the specification.
# '''MUST NOT''' This phrase, or the phrase "'''SHALL NOT'''", mean that the definition is an absolute prohibition of the specification.
# '''SHOULD''' This word, or the adjective "'''RECOMMENDED'''", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course.
# '''SHOULD NOT''' This phrase, or the phrase "'''NOT RECOMMENDED'''" mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances when the particular behavior is acceptable or even useful, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully weighed before implementing any behavior described with this label.
# '''MAY''' This word, or the adjective "'''OPTIONAL'''", mean that an item is truly optional. One vendor may choose to include the item because a particular marketplace requires it or because the vendor feels that it enhances the product while another vendor may omit the same item. An implementation which does not include a particular option '''MUST''' be prepared to interoperate with another implementation which does include the option, though perhaps with reduced functionality. In the same vein an implementation which does include a particular option '''MUST''' be prepared to interoperate with another implementation which does not include the option (except, of course, for the feature the option provides.)


== markup suggestions ==
==On this wiki==


When using RFC 2119 terms, consider re-using the [http://www.w3.org/2001/06/manual/#RFC mark-up pattern from the W3C Manual of Style] (in particular <code>class="RFC2119"</code> - <strong>note capitalization</strong>), and perhaps their suggested style rule as well.
Often, microformat specifications (and their drafts) will use the key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL". These are to be interpreted as described in [http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt RFC2119] and '''MAY''' include a link to this page, or directly to [http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt the RFC].  


In addition, see [http://edward.oconnor.cx/2007/08/marking-up-rfc2119-text Edward O’Connor POSH suggestion for marking up the commonly used initial paragraph declaring RFC 2119 terms] in documents.
=== Templates ===


== microformat thoughts ==
The following templates are available for use on this wiki:


Some have suggested considering a new microformat for marking up use of RFC 2119 terms.
*<nowiki>{{rfc2119-intro}}</nowiki> - see [[template:rfc2119-intro]]
 
It appears there is no need for such a new microformat however. Following W3C's established practice, and Edward O'Connor's POSH suggestion for the initial paragraph, appears to be sufficient.
 
==templates==
 
The following templates are available for use on this wiki:


*<nowiki>{{must}}</nowiki> = {{must}}
*<nowiki>{{must}}</nowiki> = {{must}}
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*<nowiki>{{optional}}</nowiki> = {{optional}}
*<nowiki>{{optional}}</nowiki> = {{optional}}


These adhere to the above W3C style guidelines.
These adhere to the [http://www.w3.org/2001/06/manual/#RFC W3C Manual of Style guidelines for RFC2119].
 
==On other web pages==
 
=== Markup suggestions ===
 
When using RFC 2119 terms on your own web pages, consider re-using the [http://www.w3.org/2001/06/manual/#RFC mark-up pattern from the W3C Manual of Style] (in particular <code>class="RFC2119"</code> - <strong>note capitalization</strong>), and perhaps their suggested style rule as well.
 
In addition, see [http://edward.oconnor.cx/2007/08/marking-up-rfc2119-text Edward O’Connor POSH suggestion for marking up the commonly used initial paragraph declaring RFC 2119 terms] in documents.
 
=== Microformat proposal ===
 
Some have suggested considering a new microformat for marking up use of RFC 2119 terms.
 
It appears there is no need for such a new microformat however. Following W3C's established practice, and Edward O'Connor's POSH suggestion for the initial paragraph, appears to be sufficient.

Revision as of 23:56, 26 August 2007

RFC2119

Definitions

RFC2119 gives the following definitions:

  1. MUST This word, or the terms "REQUIRED" or "SHALL", mean that the definition is an absolute requirement of the specification.
  2. MUST NOT This phrase, or the phrase "SHALL NOT", mean that the definition is an absolute prohibition of the specification.
  3. SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course.
  4. SHOULD NOT This phrase, or the phrase "NOT RECOMMENDED" mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances when the particular behavior is acceptable or even useful, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully weighed before implementing any behavior described with this label.
  5. MAY This word, or the adjective "OPTIONAL", mean that an item is truly optional. One vendor may choose to include the item because a particular marketplace requires it or because the vendor feels that it enhances the product while another vendor may omit the same item. An implementation which does not include a particular option MUST be prepared to interoperate with another implementation which does include the option, though perhaps with reduced functionality. In the same vein an implementation which does include a particular option MUST be prepared to interoperate with another implementation which does not include the option (except, of course, for the feature the option provides.)

On this wiki

Often, microformat specifications (and their drafts) will use the key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL". These are to be interpreted as described in RFC2119 and MAY include a link to this page, or directly to the RFC.

Templates

The following templates are available for use on this wiki:

  • {{must}} = MUST
  • {{must-not}} = MUST NOT
  • {{required}} = REQUIRED
  • {{shall}} = SHALL
  • {{shall-not}} = SHALL NOT
  • {{should}} = SHOULD
  • {{should-not}} = SHOULD NOT
  • {{recommended}} = RECOMMENDED
  • {{may}} = MAY
  • {{optional}} = OPTIONAL

These adhere to the W3C Manual of Style guidelines for RFC2119.

On other web pages

Markup suggestions

When using RFC 2119 terms on your own web pages, consider re-using the mark-up pattern from the W3C Manual of Style (in particular class="RFC2119" - note capitalization), and perhaps their suggested style rule as well.

In addition, see Edward O’Connor POSH suggestion for marking up the commonly used initial paragraph declaring RFC 2119 terms in documents.

Microformat proposal

Some have suggested considering a new microformat for marking up use of RFC 2119 terms.

It appears there is no need for such a new microformat however. Following W3C's established practice, and Edward O'Connor's POSH suggestion for the initial paragraph, appears to be sufficient.

Retrieved from "http://microformats.org/wiki/index.php?title=rfc-2119&oldid=20371"