Internet Architecture Board

RFC2850

RFCs 7990-7998, RFC format-related RFCs Published

Posted on by Cindy Morgan

The IAB has published the following RFC format-related RFCs:

  • RFC 7990 on RFC Format Framework
    • Abstract: In order to improve the readability of RFCs while supporting their archivability, the canonical format of the RFC Series will be transitioning from plain-text ASCII to XML using the xml2rfc version 3 vocabulary; different publication formats will be rendered from that base document.  With these changes comes an increase in complexity for authors, consumers, and the publisher of RFCs.  This document serves as the framework that provides the problem statement, lays out a road map of the documents that capture the specific requirements, and describes the transition plan.
  • RFC 7991 on The “xml2rfc” Version 3 Vocabulary
    • Abstract: This document defines the “xml2rfc” version 3 vocabulary: an XML-based language used for writing RFCs and Internet-Drafts.  It is heavily derived from the version 2 vocabulary that is also under discussion.  This document obsoletes the v2 grammar described in RFC 7749.
  • RFC 7992 on HTML Format for RFCs
    • Abstract: In order to meet the evolving needs of the Internet community, the canonical format for RFCs is changing from a plain-text, ASCII-only format to an XML format that will, in turn, be rendered into several publication formats.  This document defines the HTML format that will be rendered for an RFC or Internet-Draft.
  • RFC 7993 on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Requirements for RFCs
    • Abstract: The HTML format for RFCs assigns style guidance to a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) specifically defined for the RFC Series.  The embedded, default CSS as included by the RFC Editor is expected to take into account accessibility needs and to be built along a responsive design model.  This document describes the requirements for the default CSS used by the RFC Editor.  The class names are based on the classes defined in “HTML for RFCs” (RFC 7992).
  • RFC 7994 on Requirements for Plain-Text RFCs
    • Abstract: In 2013, after a great deal of community discussion, the decision was made to shift from the plain-text, ASCII-only canonical format for RFCs to XML as the canonical format with more human-readable formats rendered from that XML.  The high-level requirements that informed this change were defined in RFC 6949, “RFC Series Format Requirements and Future Development”.  Plain text remains an important format for many in the IETF community, and it will be one of the publication formats rendered from the XML.  This document outlines the rendering requirements for the plain-text RFC publication format.  These requirements do not apply to plain-text RFCs published before the format transition.
  • RFC 7995 on PDF Format for RFCs
    • Abstract: This document discusses options and requirements for the PDF rendering of RFCs in the RFC Series, as outlined in RFC 6949.  It also discusses the use of PDF for Internet-Drafts, and available or needed software tools for producing and working with PDF.
  • RFC 7996 on SVG Drawings for RFCs: SVG 1.2 RFC
    • Abstract: This document specifies SVG 1.2 RFC — an SVG profile for use in diagrams that may appear in RFCs — and considers some of the issues concerning the creation and use of such diagrams.
  • RFC 7997 on The Use of Non-ASCII Characters in RFCs
    • Abstract: In order to support the internationalization of protocols and a more diverse Internet community, the RFC Series must evolve to allow for the use of non-ASCII characters in RFCs.  While English remains the required language of the Series, the encoding of future RFCs will be in UTF-8, allowing for a broader range of characters than typically used in the English language.  This document describes the RFC Editor requirements and gives guidance regarding the use of non-ASCII characters in RFCs.
  • RFC 7998 on “xml2rfc” Version 3 Preparation Tool Description
    • Abstract: This document describes some aspects of the “prep tool” that is expected to be created when the new xml2rfc version 3 specification is deployed.

 

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