RFC 3930 on The Protocol versus Document Points of View in Computer Protocols

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        RFC 3930

        Title:      The Protocol versus Document Points of View in
                    Computer Protocols
        Author(s):  D. Eastlake 3rd
        Status:     Informational
        Date:       October 2004
        Mailbox:    Donald.Eastlake@motorola.com
        Pages:      15
        Characters: 36892
        Updates/Obsoletes/SeeAlso:    None

        I-D Tag:    draft-eastlake-proto-doc-pov-05.txt

        URL:        ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc3930.txt

This document contrasts two points of view: the "document" point of
view, where digital objects of interest are like pieces of paper
written and viewed by people, and the "protocol" point of view where
objects of interest are composite dynamic network messages.  Although
each point of view has a place, adherence to a document point of view
can be damaging to protocol design.  By understanding both points of
view, conflicts between them may be clarified and reduced.

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Joyce K. Reynolds and Sandy Ginoza
USC/Information Sciences Institute

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