Re: [apps-discuss] IETF technical plenary: the end of application protocols

[Peter Saint-Andre <[e-mail]>]

On 3/21/11 9:14 AM, Dave CROCKER wrote:
> 
> On 3/21/2011 7:43 AM, Scott Brim wrote:
>>
>> On 3/21/11 8:31 AM, Dave CROCKER wrote:
>>
>>> Replacing TCP with HTTP does not eliminate the requirement for
>>> purpose-built
>>> application protocols, such as specialized mailbox access.
>>
>> It's not replacing TCP with HTTP.  It's adding another more abstract API.
> 
> Not just an API.
> 
> There is are a set of exchange conventions that must exist between the
> client and the server to achieve the specifics of the application
> service.  That the server downloads code to the client and thereby
> provides the software for both ends of the exchange does not change the
> fact that this is a tailored exchange.
> 
> In networking, structured data exchanges are typically called protocols...
> 
> 
>>> On the other hand, it does tend to encourage an explosion of competing,
>>> incompatible application protocols, making for rather remarkable
>>> burdens on
>>> servers and clients.
>>
>> Those 'clients' are installed by the services.  There is no need for
>> every mail-related service to use exactly the same interface, since
>> nothing needs to know in advance how the interaction will go.  A few
> 
> I was not trying to deny the operational "convenience" of this process,
> although note that the gmail offline example still requires the user to
> go through installation hassles.
> 
> My point is that all this spontaneous downloading of redundant and
> slightly different software carries some problems.  (cf, Dave Cridland's
> response.)
> 
> To me, one of the more serious problems is the failure to see that these
> implement a potential explosion of proprietary protocols.

This is what I see, too: each service will have its own API / protocol,
resulting in wonderful vendor lock-in for the service provider but a
distinct lack of interoperability across services. We've just moved the
problem elsewhere.

Peter

-- 
Peter Saint-Andre
https://stpeter.im/