Re: [DNSOP] DNS Terminology: Glue

[Edward Lewis <[e-mail]>]

On 3/13/15, 12:00, "Paul Hoffman" <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
>FWIW, what we tentatively have for the next draft is:
>
>   Glue records -- Resource records which are not part of the
>   authoritative data [for a zone], and are address resource records for
>   the servers [in a subzone].  These RRs are only necessary if the name
>   server's name is "below" the cut, and are only used as part of a
>   referral response.  (Definition from RFC 1034, section 4.2.1)

One of my rules about definitions is to start with a positive and not a
negative statement.

Glue records -- Resource records in a zone falling adhering to some
specific conditions.  Glue records are address records for name servers
mentioned in zone cuts in the zone and for names below some (the same one
another) zone cut in the zone, hence are not authoritative in the zone.
These records are considered hints of the address of a name server
included in a referral.  The definition of glue records is arguable
confusing and unclear, some historical usage applies the term to the name
server records at a zone cut (in part because these records too are not
considered authoritative data).

I'm not sure my wording is much better, perhaps just different.  Mostly, I
urge avoiding "which are not" as part of the opening line of the
definition.