The Protocol versus Document Points of View in Computer Protocols
RFC 3930
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RFC - Informational
(October 2004; No errata)
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2015-10-14
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ISE
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RFC 3930 (Informational)
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Scott Hollenbeck
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Network Working Group D. Eastlake 3rd
Request for Comments: 3930 Motorola Laboratories
Category: Informational October 2004
The Protocol versus Document Points of View in Computer Protocols
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2004).
Abstract
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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Points of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1. The Basic Points of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2. Questions of Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2.1. Core Meaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2.2. Adjunct Meaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3. Processing Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3.1. Amount of Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3.2. Granularity of Processing. . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3.3. Extensibility of Processing. . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4. Security and Canonicalization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4.1. Canonicalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4.2. Digital Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.3. Canonicalization and Digital Authentication. . . 8
2.4.4. Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.5. Unique Internal Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4. Resolution of the Points of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Eastlake Informational [Page 1]
RFC 3930 Protocol versus Document Viewpoints October 2004
5. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Security Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Full Copyright Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1. Introduction
This document contrasts: the "document" point of view, where digital
objects of interest are thought of as pieces of paper written and
viewed by people, and the "protocol" point of view, where objects of
interest are composite dynamic network messages. Those accustomed to
one point of view frequently have great difficulty appreciating the
other: Even after they understand it, they almost always start by
considering things from their accustomed point of view, assume that
most of the universe of interest is best viewed from their
perspective, and commonly slip back into thinking about things
entirely from that point of view. 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.
Much of the IETF's traditional work has concerned low level binary
protocol constructs. These are almost always viewed from the
protocol point of view. But as higher level application constructs
and syntaxes are involved in the IETF and other standards processes,
difficulties can arise due to participants who have the document
point of view. These two different points of view defined and
explored in section 2 below.
Section 3 gives some examples. Section 4 tries to synthesize the
views and give general design advice in areas that can reasonably be
viewed either way.
2. Points of View
The following subsections contrast the document and protocol points
of view. Each viewpoint is EXAGGERATED for effect.
The document point of view is indicated in paragraphs headed "DOCUM",
and the protocol point of view is indicated in paragraphs headed
"PROTO".
Eastlake Informational [Page 2]
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