From rinehuls@access.digex.net Mon Jul 28 23:32:16 1997 Received: from access2.digex.net (qlrhmEbBUV1EY@access2.digex.net [205.197.245.193]) by dkuug.dk (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id XAA24698 for ; Mon, 28 Jul 1997 23:32:13 +0200 Received: from localhost (rinehuls@localhost) by access2.digex.net (8.8.4/8.8.4) with SMTP id RAA27303 for ; Mon, 28 Jul 1997 17:32:10 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 17:32:10 -0400 (EDT) From: "william c. rinehuls" To: sc22docs@dkuug.dk Subject: SC22 N2534 - JSG Conveners Report for August SC22 Plenary Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII ___________________ beginning of title page __________________________ ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22 Programming languages, their environments and system software interfaces Secretariat: U.S.A. (ANSI) ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22 N2534 August 1997 TITLE: SC22/JSG Convener's Report for the August 1997 JTC 1/SC22 Plenary SOURCE: Secretariat, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22 WORK ITEM: N/A STATUS: Please note that this Report contains a number of action items for SC22 approval at the August 1997 SC22 Plenary. The Report will be considered under Agenda Item 8.15. CROSS REFERENCE: N/A DOCUMENT TYPE: Convener's Report ACTION: To SC22 Member Bodies for review and action. Address reply to: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22 Secretariat William C. Rinehuls 8457 Rushing Creek Court Springfield, VA 22153 USA Tel: +1 (703) 912-9680 Fax: +1 (703) 912-2973 email: rinehuls@access.digex.net _____________ end of title page; beginning of report _________________ Report of the Java Study Group (JSG) to the SC22 Plenary, Ottawa, Canada, August 18-22, 1997 This report and the referenced documents are available on the JSG Web page (http://www.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC22/JSG). The work of Keld Simonson in maintaining this page and the support of the Danish Unix Users Group are very much appreciated. Most of the Study Group work has been accomplished using this Web page and the associated mailing list. All documents are archived there. The JSG held two meetings: January 7-8, 1997, Cupertino, California, hosted by JavaSoft and Apple June 30, 1997, London, hosted by BSI JSG had strong liaison's with SC24 (about graphics and user interfaces in Java) and with SC29 (about using the Java Virtual Machine as a target architecture for delivering multi-media and hyper-media applications). JavaScript was submitted to ECMA for standardization. JSG has maintained a close liaison with ECMA TC-39. The ECMA General Assembly approved the standard in June 1997 (as ECMA-262) and plans to submit it to ISO under the Fast Track Process.TC-39 is the appropriate organization for continued maintenance of the standard. Sun applied to JTC1 for special status to submit Java through the PAS (Publicly Available Specification) process (SC22 N 2455). The ballot on that application for PAS submitter status closed on July 14, 1997 (SC22 N 2530). The JSG has served as useful forum for discussing the issues involved. Comments have been mixed about the proposal and its probability of success. It is likely there will have to be ballot resolution at the JTC1 level. By the time of the SC22 Plenary (August 18-22), this issue may still be unresolved. The JSG had invited Sun to submit Java to ISO with the more traditional processes. This would have involved the normal New Work Item Proposal process and expected eventual assignment to SC22 and a Working Group growing out of the existing JSG. This is still a possibility if the PAS approach is not accepted by JTC1. JSG recommends that SC22 continue the Java Study Group for another year to 1. continue the investigation of standardization alternatives for Java, 2. recommend future actions to SC22 in response to JTC1 actions on Java, and 3. coordinate ballot resolution on behalf of SC22 on either JavaScript or Java. The Java Study Group should continue to operate in the same open fashion as it has. Bob Mathis, Convener SC22 Java Study Group JSG Resolutions (California, USA, January 7-8, 1997) R-1: ECMA Script: JSG acknowledges the need to standardize ECMA Script and is encouraged that ECMA TC39 is actively working towards this goal. JSG feels that no additional standards activity on ECMA Script should be undertaken by ISO at this time. JSG invites ECMA TC39 to make drafts of the ECMA Script standard available to JSG via its convener, so that individual members can contribute comments during the review process. R-2: MHEG: SC22/JSG is interested in standardizing the JVM as quickly as possible in conjunction with Sun. SC22/JSG wants to work with the language and application committees that are interested in the JVM. Until an ISO standard exists for the JVM, SC22/JSG suggests MHEG6 reference the Addison-Wesley books. R-3: Formal Submission to Sun Microsystems The ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22 JSG invites Sun Microsystems to submit the Java Core Technology for processing as an ISO standard or standards. To encourage Sun Microsystems to adopt this approach rather than other routes to standardization, we note that: * ISO has the widest world recognition and ISO standards meet many regulatory requirements. * The scope of an SC22 project can be narrowly defined; for example, a project can be limited to producing clarifications only, from a designated base document. * A tightly controlled scope can be used to expedite project deliverables. * The development of standards can be timed to match the maturity of different components of the technology. * We believe that ISO policies would allow a cooperative agreement that would satisfy Sun Microsystems, for example on: Intellectual property rights Brand naming If it occurs that the initial standards are developed outside of ISO auspices, the Java Study Group suggests that subsequent development should occur in ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22. R-4: Java Technical Issues List [Convener's Note: Actions in early 1997 made this action inappropriate and it was delayed via e-mail discussion confirmed at the London meeting.] JSG Resolutions (London, UK, June 30, 1997) R-1: ECMA-262. JSG recommends that, if SC22 is assigned ballot resolution for the fast track of ECMA-262, JSG serve as the ballot resolution group for the fast track ballot. R-2: ECMA-262. JSG recommends that, if SC22 is assigned responsibility for ECMA-262, SC22 rely on ECMA's TC39 for maintenance and revision, and not establish an SC22 Working Group for this standard. R-3: JTC1/SC22. Whereas JSG believes that the Java language, Java Virtual Machine, and core APIs are very interrelated, JSG recommends to SC22: * That SC22 seek the responsibility for the initial PAS submissions based on Sun's pending application. * That JSG should be the ballot resolution group for Sun's initial Java submission(s). Whereas some National Bodies have requested that future maintenance of Java be done within JTC1, JSG recommends to SC22 that JSG be assigned future maintenance of any standard(s) assigned to SC22 based on these initial submission(s). R-4: JTC1/SC22. JSG recommends that SC22 continue the Java Study Group for another year. Summary of Actions Recommended to SC22 Plenary Continue Java Study Group (London, R4) (draft based SC22 Resolution 96-25): ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22 continues its study period on Java-related standardization (in accordance with Paragraph 6.2.3 of the JTC 1 Directives) to investigate potential approaches for Java-related standardization and continues its Java Study Group (JSG) to coordinate this study and report to the next JTC 1/SC22 Plenary (if not sooner). SC22 reappoints Dr. Robert Mathis (United States) as Convener of this Java Study Group. The Convener is empowered to involve other organizations and individuals that might contribute to understanding and resolving issues. The work of the Java Study Group will be conducted via email and other Internet mechanisms to the maximum extent possible. JSG Ballot Resolution on SUN PAS Submissions (London, R3): If Sun Microsystems is approved as a PAS submitter and submits specifications for the Java Programming Language, Java Virtual Machine, and core class libraries, SC22 will seek responsibility for ballot resolution and continued maintenance and assign those tasks to JSG ECMA-262 Ballot Resolution (London, R1): If SC22 is assigned ballot resolution for the fast track of ECMA-262 (as will be requested by ECMA), JSG shall host the ballot resolution group for the fast track ballot. Liaison with SC24: Liaison with SC29 (WG12 in particular) (SC22 N 2458): Liaison with ECMA TC39: SC22 appoints Dr. Robert Mathis (United States) as liaison with ECMA TC39. _________________ end of SC22 N2534 __________________________________