- Email: [email protected]
Standards activities
219
Standards Activities USA ANSI
Mercer is Elected to ANSI Board of Directors
Robert A. Mercer has been elected a director of ANSI. Dr Mercer is assistant vice-president designate of the Network Compatibility Planning Center of the Central Services Organization, the new company being formed to support the divested Bell Operating Companies. From 1973 to 1979 Dr Mercer was with the Network Performance Characterization and Network Operations Planning Departments of Bell Laboratories. He then transferred to American Telephone & Telegraph Company, where he was division manager of network services standards. In 1981 he returned to Bell as director of the Network Architecture Center. Before joining Bell in 1973, Dr Mercer was an assistant professor of physics at Indiana University. He has written many articles and given numerous talks on high energy physics and network performance standards. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Sigma Xi.
Automation Panel Issues Status Report
Comment is being sought on a status report on existing national and international standards for industrial automation and standards development activities underway in this field. The list was compiled by a subcommittee of ANSI's Industrial Automation Planning Panel and circulated to members and other interested groups by Panel Chairman Robert Baird. At an August 30-31 North-Holland Computers & Standards 2 (1983) 219-229
meeting the panel decided to allow thirty days for comment. Responses are expected to aid the panel in carrying out its mission coordination of national standardization in industrial automation and U.S. participation in the new ISO committee in this field - TC 184. At the August meeting, the panel made preparations for the first meeting of I S O / T C 184, which will be held in Paris in December. The U.S. delegation, it was decided at the panel meeting, will consist of Chairman Baird, Vice-Chairman Bradford Smith, and several panel members. Mr Baird is with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association; Mr Smith, with the National Bureau of Standards. The ANSI panel also decided to hold some of its future meetings in conjunction with a visit to an automated factory and with a seminar on robotics, in order to obtain the latest information and attract additional highly qualified representation on the panel.
Final Actions on ANSI Standards
Information Systems A N S I / I E E E 829-1983, Software Test Documentation (new standard) Describes a set of basic test documents that are associated with the dynamic aspects of software testing. This standard defines the purpose, outline, and content of each basic document. While the documents described in the standard focus on dynamic testing, several of them may be applicable to other testing activities. Approval data: August 19, 1983 ANSI X3.22-1983, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (800 CPI, N R Z I ) (revision of ANSI X3.22-1973) Provides specifications for format and recording to 1/2-inch, 9-track magnetic tape to be used for information interchange a m o n g information processing systems, communication systems, and
220 associated equipment utilizing ANSI X3.4-1977, American National Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Approval date: August 19, 1983 ANSI X3.100-1983, Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data CircuitTerminating Equipment for Packet Mode Operation with Packet Switched Data Communications Networks (new standard) Establishes the interface characteristics and procedures for packet mode operation between data terminal equipment and packet switched data communications networks. This standard adopts CCITT Recommendation X.25 as approved in November 1980 by the VII Plenary Assembly of the CCITT. Approval data: August 19, 1983 ANSI/IEEE 729-1983, Terminology, Glossary Defines terms in general gineering field. Approval data: August 9,
Software Engineering of (new standard) use in the software en1983
ANSI X3.46-1974 (R1983), Unrecorded Magnetic Six-Disk Pack (General, Physical, and Magnetic Characteristics) (reaffirmation) Specifies the general, physical, and magnetic requirements for interchangeability of the magnetic six-disk pack between disk storage drives and associated information processing systems. Reaffirmation date: August 5, 1983
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Computers International Microelectronics Developments to be Monitored The NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology and the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation are jointly funding a project to gather information about major developments in computer science and microelectronics at foreign universities and industrial laboratories.
To be carried out by a Panel on International Developments in Microelectronics and Computer Science appointed by the Computer Science and Technology Board of the National Academy of Sciences, the project will focus on prompt communication of foreign developments to Englishspeaking technical experts. Plans included visits to Japan, publication of summaries of research work, and translation of Japanese documents.
NBS Study Cites Benefits of Proposed COBOL Standard Revision The federal government, a major COBOL user, will net an estimated $72 million in benefits if a proposed revision to the COBOL programming language standard is adopted, according to a study published by NBS. The study estimates that it will cost the federal government approximately $18 million to convert old COBOL programs to the revised standard. A total of $90 million in benefits over 10 years is expected. The study assesses the costs and benefits for the federal government if the proposed revision is adopted as a Federal Information Processing Standard. The study, Cost-Benefit Impact Study on the Adoption of the Draft Proposed Revised X3.23 American National Standard Programming Language COBOL (NBSIR 83-2639), is available for $11.50 prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by PB #83-191098.
Microcomputer Information Exchange Set Up An electronic bulletin board which will enable users to exchange information and read bulletins on microcomputer-related topics has been established by the NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology (ICST). Information on topics such as conferences, seminars, and workshops, telecomputing services, user and special interest groups, other electronic bulletin boards, publications, and new products and technology will be available. Users will be able to update the information and recommend additional entries. Both federal and non-federal users who have the appropriate terminal capability (ASCII, 300 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit) will be able to reach the exchange by dialing 301/948-5718.
221
Artificial Intelligence Natural Language Processing by Computer NBS has published an 'overview' of the field of computer-based natural language processing, or 'computational linguistics'. The report presents a concise review of the problem getting computers to 'understand' natural languages such as English, including the principle approaches now being pursued, the linguistic theories that lie behind the research, the state of the art, future research goals, and possible applications for the technology, including 'automatic programming', computer translators, and sophisticated control systems that can be operated by relatively untrained users. Written by Dr. William Gevarter, the report is one of a series of overviews of the field of artificial intelligence and robotics produced as part of a cooperative program between NBS and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. An Overview of Computer-Based Natural Language Processing (NBSIR 83-2687) is available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 for $11.50 (paperback) or $4.50 (microfiche), prepaid. Order by PB g* 83-200832.
NBS Develops Guidelines for Establishing DP Charging System NBS has issued step-by-step guidelines to help managers of data processing (DP) facilities design, develop, implement, and operate a system to charge for DP services. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) 96, Guideline for Developing and Implementing a Charging System for Data Processing Services, outlines a general approach to developing a charging system. This approach can then be tailored to suit an individual user's needs. FIPS PUB 96 can be ordered for $11.50 prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by FIPS PUB 96 and title.
Joint Standard for Packet-Switched Networks Approved A joint standard for interconnecting computer terminals to packet-switched data communications networks has been approved by both the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Gen-
eral Services Administration. To be published as Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 100, Interface between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE) for Operation with Packet-Switched Data Communications Networks, and Federal Standard 1041, the joint standard is based on a subset of Recommendation X.25 of the Consultative Committee of the International Telecommunications Union. This provision of the joint standard was developed by NBS and the National Communications System. In addition, NBS has developed a test and evaluation service to determine whether equipment and services conform to this joint standard. The service will be available to both vendors and buyers who want to follow the options specified in the standard. For further information about the joint standard or the verification program, contact Michael Wong, A216 Technology Building, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC 20234, or 301/921-3723.
Computers Computer Standards" Agreement Signed Between DCA and NBS The Defense Communications Agency (DCA) and NBS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in developing network protocol and interface standards that meet the needs of both the Department of Defense and the nondefense agencies of the federal government. DCA and NBS will work together in determining requirements for network protocol and interface standards, developing and testing standards, achieving implementation in commercial products, and gaining acceptance of proposed standards in national and international standards organizations.
NBS Issues Two New Information Processing Standards" NBS has developed two new computer standards: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 95, Codes for the Identification of Federal and Federally-Assisted Organizations, and FIPS 97, Operational Specifications for Fixed Block
222
Rotating Mass Storage Subsystems. FIPS 95 provides four-character codes to aid in collecting, processing, and exchanging information about federal operations. The codes identify legislative, judicial, and executive branch agencies as well as certain organizations which are federally-sponsored or aided. FIPS 97, together with FIPS 60, I / O Channel Interface, and FIPS 61, Channel Level Power Control Interface, is an alternative to FIPS 63, Operational Specifications for Variable Blade Rotating Mass Storage Systems. The group of standards provides for full plug-to-plug interchangeability of fixed block rotating mass storage equipment as a part of ADP systems. The new publications (FIPS 95 and 97) can be ordered for $11.50 each, prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by FIPS number and title.
2. Approved Standards Copies of these Standards may be purchased from: IEEE Service Center, (201) 981-0060, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA These are summarized in Table 1.
2.1. A N S I / IEEE 729-1983: IEEE Standard Glossary Of Software Engineering Terminology The Chairperson is: S. Gloss-Soler, (315) 3360937, liT Research Institute, P.O. Box 180, Rome, NY 13440, USA The standard was approved by ANSI on 5 August 1983. Further action on the International area is being held in abeyance pending completion of the efforts on the establishment of I S O / T C 97/SC-22 (see section 6.3.1.).
2.2. A N S I / I E E E 730-1981: IEEE Standard For Software Quality Assurance Plans IEEE
S o f t w a r e Engineering S t a n d a r d s S u b c o m m i t tee
Technical Committee on Software Engineering IEEE Computer Society STATUS REPORT, 25 August 1983
The Chairperson is Fletcher J. Buckley, (609) 778-3606, RCA, Mail Stop 101-229, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA Status is as follows - the Standard was: approved by ANSI on 21 July 1982; submitted to the Secretariat, I S O / T C - 1 7 6 by the Chairman, USTAG on 17 March 1983; and submitted to the Chief, US Delegate, ISO/TC-97 on 24 February 1983. Projected milestones are as follows: approved by I S O / T C 176 at their next meeting - March 1984; and approved by I S O / T C 97 - March 1984.
1. Purpose The purpose of this memo is to provide the status of efforts on: (1) approved standards; (2) approved projects; (3) tentative projects; (4) software engineering seminars; (5) other items.
2.3. 1EEE Std 828: 1EEE Standard For Software Configuration Management Plans The Chairperson is: Rick Fredrick, (214) 9952690, Texas Instruments, M.S.B, P.O. Box 5012, Dallas, TX 75067, USA
Table 1 Approved Software Engineering Standards ANSI/IEEE Std 730-1981,
IEEE
Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans
ANSI/IEEE Std 729-1983,
IEEE
Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology
ANSI/IEEE Std 829-1983,
IEEE
Standard for Software Test Documentation
IEEE Std 828-1983,
IEEE
Standard for Software Configuration Management Plans
223
The standard was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 24 June 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: standard forwarded for ANSI approval - August 1983. 2.4. I E E E 829-1983: I E E E Standard For Software Test Documentation The Chairperson is: David Gelperin, (612) 5428620, 2425 Zealand Ave. N., Golden Valley, MN 55427, USA This standard was approved by ANSI on 19 August 1983. Further action on the International area is being held in abeyance pending completion of the efforts on the establishment of I S O / T C 97/SC-22 (see section 6.3.1.).
3. Approved Projects
Current status is that the changes to the Standard were provided to the Balloting Group on 22 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: Draft changes provided to the IEEE Standards Board by 1 November 1983. 3.2. P830: A Guide For Software Requirements Specifications The Chairperson is: A1 Davis, (602) 582-7069, G T E Network Systems, 2500 West Utopia Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027, USA The draft Guide was provided to the IEEE Standards Board on 8 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: Revised draft Guide approved by the IEEE Standards Board September 1983. 3.3. P982: A Standard For Software Reliability measurement
These are shown in Table 2. 3.1. P730-1: A Standard For Software Quality Assurance Plans The Chairperson is: Fletcher J. Buckley, (609) 778-3606. RCA, Mail Stop 101-229, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA The Co-Chairperson is: Robert Felker, (215) 770-6675, Penn Power and Light, 2 North 9th St, Allentown, PA 18101, USA A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board at their 23 Sept. 1982 meeting to revise the Standard. The last meeting of the working group was held on 14 June 1983 at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC.
Table 2 Approved Software Engineering Standard Projects A Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans (Revision) (P730~1) A Guide for Software Requirements Specifications (P830) A Standard for Software Reliability Measurement (P982) A Guide for Software Quality Assurance (P983) A Guide for the Use of ADA a as a PDL (P990) Software Engineering Standards Taxonomy (P1002) A Standard for Software Unit Testing (P1008) '~ ADA is a registered trademark of the US Government. AJPO.
The Chairperson is: Jim Dobbins, (703) 3673912, MS 105-913, IBM FSD, 9501) Goodwin Drive, Manassas, VA 22110, USA Co-Chairpersons are: Ted Workman, 011 44 344 773119, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berks, RG 11 3LL, England; and Ray Leber, (215) 962-2000, General Electric Co., P.O. Box 8555, Room M2216, Philadelphia, PA 19101, USA The sixth meeting was held on 28-30 June 1983 at TRW, Redondo Beach CA. The schedule for forthcoming meetings is as follows: October 1983, Norden CT; 15-16 December 1983, Gaithersburg MD; March 1984, Orlando, FL. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board, at their December 1982 meeting subject to the inclusion of coordination with I E C / T C 56. The first coordinated draft has been produced. Projected milestones are as follows: first complete draft - July 1984; draft standard balloted December 1984. 3.4. P983: surance
A Guide For Software Quality As-
The Chairperson is: G. Tice, (503) 62%1310, Tektronix, P.O. Box 392, Wilsonville, OR 97070, USA The Co-chairperson is: A.K. Ackerman, (201)
224 981-7946, Bell Laboratories, 6 Corporate Place, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA The last meeting was held at Seattle, Washington on 3-5 May 1983. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: Minneapolis MN, 13-15 September 1983; Tampa FL, January 1984; Wichita KS, May 1984. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board at their December 1982 meeting with the addition of coordination with ISO/TC 97. The first complete draft was produced and distributed for comment on 2 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: draft Standard balloted - June 1984.
3.5. P990: A Guide For The Use Of ADA As A Program Design Language ADA is a registered trademark of the United States Government Dept. of Defense (AJPO). The Chairperson is: Bob Blasewitz, (609) 7783955, RCA, MS 101-210, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA The Co-Chairperson is: Mark S. Gearhardt, (401) 847-8000, Raytheon, P.O. Box 360, Portsmouth, RI 02871, USA The last meeting was held on 25-27 May 1983, Berkshire, England. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: September 1983, RCA, Moorestown NJ. Status is as follows: The US Government Dept. of Defense ADA Joint Program Office (AJPO) provided permission to this organization to use their trademarked term ADA, in connection with this project, by telegram on 11 March 1983. A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standard Board at their 17 March 1983 meeting. The scope and outline have been completed. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - December 1983. Draft standard balloted - July 1984. 3.6.
PlO02:
Software Engineering
Standards
Taxonomy The Chairperson is: Leonard Tripp, (206) 5755390, Boeing Computer Services, MS 9C-70, P.O.
Box 24346, Seattle, WA 98124, USA The Co-Chairpersons are: Ralph Wachter, (301) 953-7100, Ext 7386, Johns Hopkins APL, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20707, USA; and Perry Nuhn, (203) 375-0200 ext 266, ITT Programming Technology Center, 1000 Oronoque Lane, Stratford, CT 06443, USA The last meeting was held on 27-29 June 1983, Toronto, Canada. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 12-14 October 1983, Stratford CT; 24-26 January 1984, Los Angeles CA; April 1984, Southeast. Status is as follows: The Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 24 June 1983. Four items have been released for comment to interested parties: (1) A Project Plan, dated 28 March 1983; (2) A Statement of Requirements, dated 28 March 1983; (3) A bulletin requesting involvement in clarifying some fundamental issues in defining a Software Engineering Standards Taxonomy; (4) A bulletin requesting support in building a Taxonomy Reference Library. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - September 1984; Draft standard balloted - April 1985.
3. 7. PlO08: ing
A Standard For Software Unit Test-
The Chairperson is: David Gelperin, (612) 5428620, 2425 Zealand Ave. N, Golden Valley, MN 55427, USA The Co-chairperson is: Hugh Spillane, RCA, A / S, Mail Stop 18-2, P.O. Box 588, Burlington, MA 01803, USA The last meeting was on 9-12 August 1983, at New Hampshire. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 14-17 November 1983, TX; 6-9 February 1984, Los Angeles CA; May 1984, Toronto, Canada; August 1984, Seattle WA; November 1984, Europe. The Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 23 June 1983. The scope and outline have been completed. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - May 1984; Draft standard balloted December 1984.
225
4. Tentative Projects
10.4 committee which is working on a similar topic for the American Nuclear Society (see below).
These are shown in Table 3.
4.3. A Standard For Software Ret~'iewsAnd Audits 4.1. Guide For Software Design Documentation The Chairperson is: C.R. Cockerham, (303) 451-3571 (office), (303) 469-9148 ( H o m e Recorder), Dept 50002133, Room 30E12, American Bell Inc., 11900 North Pecos St., Denver, CO 80234, USA. The Co-chairperson is: Jim Darling, (303) 6737617, Storage Technology Corp, Mail Stop 93, 2270 South 88th St, Louisville, CO 80027, USA. The last meeting was held on 1-3 June 1983 at Corpus Christi TX. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 12-14 December 1983, Denver CO. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was forwarded to the IEEE Standards Board by the Chairperson, Computer Standards Committee, on 25 July 1983.
4.2. A Standard For Software Verification Plans The Chairperson is: Roger Fujii, (213) 831-0611 Ext 2480, Logicon, Inc., 255 West Fifth St,, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA. The Co-chairperson is: Douglas McMann (213) 535-4917, T R W Defense and Space Systems Group, Mail Stop m l / 1 4 0 6 , 1 Space Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, USA. The last meeting was 21-24 June 1983 at Lexington MA. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 28-30 September 1983, Washington DC; December 1983, to be decided. A Project Authorization Request was forwarded to IEEE Standards Board on 9 August 1983. Contact has been established with the ANS
Table 3 Tentative Software Engineering Standards Projects A Guide for Software Design Documentation A Standard for Software Verification Plans A Standard for Software Reviews and Audits A Guide for Software Configuration Management A Standard Classification for Software Errors, Faults and Failures A Guide to Software EngineeringTechniques A Standard for Software Productivity Metrics
The Chairperson is: Charles P. Hollocker, (312) 979-4137, American Bell, Inc., 901 Rolling Drive, Lisle, IL 60532, USA. The initial meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel. (703) 920-3230, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. The meeting will begin at 9:00 am on 27 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room number.
4.4. A Guide For Software Configuration Management Plans The Chairperson is: Richard Van Tillburg, (714) 732-2307, Hughes Aircraft Corporation, Bldg 618, MS B209, P.O. Box 3310, Fullerton, CA 92634, USA. The initial meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will begin at 10:30 am on 27 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room number.
4.5. A Standard Classification of Software Errors, Faults, and Failures The Chairperson is: Dick Evans, (213) 536-3805, TRW, Mail Stop R4/2182, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90728, USA. The Co-Chairperson is: David Simmons, (607) 751-5346, IBM, FSD, M.C. 889 B P75, Owego, N Y 13827, USA. The first meeting will be held at C o m p C o n Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 9:00 am on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
4.6. Software Engineering Techniques Handbook The Chairperson is: Tim Kasse, (602) 829-3572, Motorola Microsystems, Mail Stop DW-160, 2900 South Diablo Way, Tempe, AZ 85282, USA. The Co-Chairpersons are: W,R. Gills, (619) 277-8900 Ext. 1492, General Dynamics Electronic
226 Div., Mail Zone 03-0729, P.O. Box 85808, San Diego, CA 92138 USA; and Martin Brooks, 26958-80, Norwegian Central Institute, Blindern, Forskignsuein 1, Oslo, 3, Norway. The first meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 10:30 am on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
4. 7. A Standard For Software Productivity Metrics The Chairperson is: Eleanor Antreassian, (201) 981-6479, Bell Labs, Room 3B121, 6 Corporate Place, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. The first meeting held at CompCon Fall, 28-30 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 1:00 pm on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
5. Software Engineering Standards Seminars Table 4 shows the Fall schedule of Software Engineering Seminars sponsored by this subcommittee jointly with the IEEE Standards Board. Table 4 Fall Schedule of Software Engineering Seminars Seminar Title Date
Place
Software Quality Assurance
AtlantaGA San FranciscoCA Las VegasNA
Software Test
12-14 September 1983 26-28 October 1983 30 November2 December 1983 29-30 September 1983 24-25 October 1983 28-29 November1983
ArlingtonVA San Francisco CA Las VegasNA
The 1984 schedule is currently projected as in Table 5. For details on these seminars, contact should be made with the following: R. Poston, (201) 922-8691, SESS Seminar Technical Director, 58 Lambert Johnson Drive, Ocean, NJ 07712, USA.
6. Other Items
6.1. Organizational Representation The following are the current representative to this subcommittee from standard-making organizations:
Table 5 1984 Projected Schedule of Software Engineering Seminars Software Quality Assurance
February 1984 April 1984 May 1984 July 1984 September 1984 October 1984 November 1984
Orlando FL Boston MA San Francisco CA London UK New Orleans MI San Francisco CA East Coast
Software test
February 1984 April 1984 May 1984 September 1984 October 1984 November 1984
Orlando FL Boston MA San FranciscoCA New Orleans MI San Francisco CA East Coast
Software Configuration Management To be initiated Fall 1984 Software Requirements To be initiated Fall 1984
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Software Systems Technical Committee: Robert R. Jones, (714)732-3849, Hughes Aircraft Corp., P.O. Box 3310, MS 618/b218, Fullerton, CA 92634, USA A N S / N P E C Joint Working Group: N.C. Farr, (812) 289-3000 ext 1495, Public Service Indiana, P.O. Box 190, New Washington, IN 47162, USA; and Jim Thomas (alternate), (704) 3734612, 422 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28242, USA American Nuclear Society: Dr. Gerald W. Main, Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Westinghouse Hanford Co., P.O. Box 1970, Richland, WA 99352, USA ANS Z I : John Milandin, (313) 994-7778, Bechtel Power Corp., 777 East Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA ASQC: Art Ferlan, (603) 884-6711, Digital Equipment Corp., M / S MK 1-2/Q15, Continental Blvd, Merrimack, N H 03054, USA AS'I~._4: Peter E. Schilling, Chairman, ASTM C o m A E-31 (CS), (412) 337-2724, Alum. Co. of America, Alcoa Technical Center, Alcoa Center, PA 15069, USA
227 DPMA: William E. Perry, (305) 876-4292, Quality Assurance Institute, 9222 Bay Point Drive, Orlando, FL 32811, USA EDP Auditors Foundation: Stanley R. Jarocki, Bankers Trust Co., Four Albany Street, New York, NY 10015, USA EIA: H. Ronald Berlack, (603) 885-5170, Saunders Associates, M / S NCA1-4222, 95 Canal St, Nashua, N H 03691, USA IEEE Reliability Society: Dr, T.L. Regulinski, (602) 932-7321, Goodyear Aerospace, P.O. Box 295, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA National Security Industrial Association (NSIA): Perry Nuhn, (203) 375-0200 ext 266, ITF Programming Technology Center, 1000 Oronoque Lane, Stratford, CT 06443, USA 6,2. Organizational Points Of Contact The following are organizational points of contact: ANS X3 KI: Michael Landes, Chairperson, (730) 521-5280, ext 271, ANS X-3 K1, Program Documentation, Computer Science Corp., 400 Army-Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, USA -
Dept of Defense: William P. LaPlant, (202) 695-0499, A F / A C D T , Rm 5C1084, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330, USA -
6.3. Other Standards Activities of Interest The activities listed below are not a part of the effort of this Subcommittee. They are of direct interest, however, and so are identified herein. 6.3.1. I S D / TC-97 The following information is extracted from the minutes of the IEEE Standards Board of 24 June 1983. Secretary's Report: 'At a meeting of the X3 Committee held in Washington on June 2 and 3, the Committee, acting as the Technical Advisory Group to TC 97, asked IEEE to assume responsibility as Secretariat to act as the Technical Advisory
Group for a new Activity within TC 97 on software engineering .... ' Report of Standards Board actions: '7. Authorized IEEE to assume the Secretariat of a new ISO sub-committee (tentatively identified as 1SO TC97/SC22) on Software Engineering."
6.3.2. P610. Computer Dictionary The Chairperson is: Jane Radatz, (619) 4551330, Logicon, Inc., P.O. Box 80158, San Diego, CA 92138, USA. This effort is sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society Computer Standards Committee. The last meeting was 22 23 July 1983 at Columbus OH. Next meeting is scheduled for 4-5 November 1983, at Rosslyn VA. 6.3.3. A N S 10.4 Guideline For Software Verification And Validation The contactperson is: J.W. Wiley, (213) 8072000, Bechtel Power Corp., P.O. Box 60860, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, CA 90060, USA. This effort is sponsored by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Committee 10.4. As of 1 June 1983, they were in the sixth draft of their guideline. 6.4. S E S S Administration The SESS Guide to Standards Development was approved by ballot of the SESS Executive Board on July 1983. 6.5. Miscellaneous The Third Software Engineering Standards Application Workshop is tentatively scheduled for October 1984. Chairperson is: Leonard Tripp, (206) 575-5390, Boeing Computer Services, MS 9C-70, P.O. Box 24346, Seattle, WA 98124, USA. The next SESS Executive Board meeting is scheduled for CompCon Fall, Washington, DC. There will be a national conference on systems reliability in December 1983 at NBS. Further information is available from J. Dobbins. Spring CompCon will be the week of 28 February 1984 at San Francisco CA. Fall CompCon will be the week of 16 September 1984 at Arlington VA.
228 [Editors Note: We are grateful to the Software Engineering & Standards Subcommittee for permission to reprint their Status Report.]
X3
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Draft Proposed American National Standard BSR X3.118-198X, PIN Pad X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of a draft proposed American National Standard X3.118-198x, PIN Pad, which was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B10 on C r e d i t / I D Cards. This draft proposed standard is intended to identify the alpha and numeric characters and their correlation with the keyboard of a PIN pad. A PIN pad is a keyboard used by a customer "to enter a Personal Identification Number when requested as part of a transaction. The PIN may consist of 4-12 alpha and numeric characters. A standard is needed to provide compatibility between terminals and networks. By uniformly establishing the correlation between alpha and numeric characters and PIN pad keys, customers and network operators benefit. The draft proposed standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $5.00.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Two Draft Proposed American National Standards X3.119-198x, 1 0 0 / 2 1 0 MM Digital Recording Disk, and X3.120-198X, 2 0 0 / 6 3 . 5 MM Digital Recording Disk X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of two draft proposed American N a t i o n a l S t a n d a r d s X3.119-198x, C o n t a c t S t a r t / S t o p Storage Disk, 158361 Flux Transitions per Track, 8.268 inch (210 mm) Outer Diameter and 3.937 inch (100 mm) Inner Diameter, and Contact Start/Stop Storage Disk, 95840 Flux
Transitions per Track 7.874 inch (200 mm) Outer Diameter and 2.500 Inch (63.5 mm) Inner Diameter. These draft proposed standards were developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B7 on Magnetic Disks. These draft proposed standards are intended to be helpful references in defining the physical and electromagnetic characteristics of disks in order to facilitate the manufacture, assembly and use of the disks that are interchangeable with one another. It defines the measurable characteristics in such a way as to distinguish them from those of the rest of the interfacing system. The draft proposed standards are available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $10.00 for each.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.58-1977, Unrecorded Eleven Disk Pack X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the proposed reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.58-1977, Unrecorded Eleven Disk Pack. This standard was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B7 on Magnetic Disks. ANS X3.58-1977 specifies the general, physical, and magnetic characteristics required for the physical interchange of magnetic eleven-disk packs for use in electronic data processing systems. The standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained for the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $9.00 plus $2.00 for postage and handling.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment on Draft Revision to American National Standard X3.39-1973, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (1600 CPI, Phase Encoded Recording) In accordance with ANSI procedures which require a five-year review of its approved stan-
229 dards, American National Standard Committee X3, Information Processing Systems, announces a four-month period of public review and comment on revision of American National Standard X3.391973, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (1600 COP, Phase Encoded Recording). X3's Technical Committee, X3B1 on Magnetic Tape, recomments that this revision be adopted. This standard provides specifications for format and recording for a ½ inch 9-track magnetic tape to be used for information interchange among information processing systems, communication systems, and associated equipment utilizing ANSI X3.4-1977, (lodes for Information Interchange. It deals solely with recording on magnetic tape and supports and complements ANSI X3.40-1983, Unrecorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (9-track 200 and 800 CPI, N R Z I and 1600 CPI, PE). The draft proposed revision is available for public review and comment for a period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $10.00.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment on Reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.42-1975, Representation of Numeric Values in Character Strings for Information Interchange In accordance with ANSI procedures which require a five-year review of its approved standards, American National Standards Committee X3, Information Processing System, announces a four-month period of public review and comment on reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.42-1975, Representation of Numeric Value in Character Strings for Information Interchange. X3's Technical Committee, X3L5 on Codes and Character Sets, recommends that this American National Standard be reaffirmed, This standard specifies the syntax as the elements of three sets of character sets of character strings which are decimal positional representa-
tions of numeric values, that is, numeric representations (NRs). This American National Standard is available for public review and comment for a period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained from The American National Standard Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $8.00 plus $2.00 to cover postage and handling. X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Draft Proposed American National Standard B S R X3.117-198x, Printable/Image Areas for Text and Facsimile Communication Equipment X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of a draft proposed American National Standard X3.117-198x, Printable/Image Areas for Text and Facsimile Communication Equipment, which was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B9 on P a p e r / F o r m s Layout. This draft proposed standard is intended to define the sizes and location of the printable/image areas common to both the ISO A4 and North American paper sizes for international communication on text and facsimile equipment. The purpose is to establish common printable/image areas which provide a logical format for information interchange between countries on worldwide International networks and allow the material contained in the image area to be reproduced from either size of paper into the other without loss of essential information. The draft proposed standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $8.00. Comments on the above standards should be addressed to the X3 Secretariat, CBEMA, Suite 500, 311 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA, with copies to ANSI, Board of Standards Review, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA.
Standards Activities USA ANSI
Mercer is Elected to ANSI Board of Directors
Robert A. Mercer has been elected a director of ANSI. Dr Mercer is assistant vice-president designate of the Network Compatibility Planning Center of the Central Services Organization, the new company being formed to support the divested Bell Operating Companies. From 1973 to 1979 Dr Mercer was with the Network Performance Characterization and Network Operations Planning Departments of Bell Laboratories. He then transferred to American Telephone & Telegraph Company, where he was division manager of network services standards. In 1981 he returned to Bell as director of the Network Architecture Center. Before joining Bell in 1973, Dr Mercer was an assistant professor of physics at Indiana University. He has written many articles and given numerous talks on high energy physics and network performance standards. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Sigma Xi.
Automation Panel Issues Status Report
Comment is being sought on a status report on existing national and international standards for industrial automation and standards development activities underway in this field. The list was compiled by a subcommittee of ANSI's Industrial Automation Planning Panel and circulated to members and other interested groups by Panel Chairman Robert Baird. At an August 30-31 North-Holland Computers & Standards 2 (1983) 219-229
meeting the panel decided to allow thirty days for comment. Responses are expected to aid the panel in carrying out its mission coordination of national standardization in industrial automation and U.S. participation in the new ISO committee in this field - TC 184. At the August meeting, the panel made preparations for the first meeting of I S O / T C 184, which will be held in Paris in December. The U.S. delegation, it was decided at the panel meeting, will consist of Chairman Baird, Vice-Chairman Bradford Smith, and several panel members. Mr Baird is with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association; Mr Smith, with the National Bureau of Standards. The ANSI panel also decided to hold some of its future meetings in conjunction with a visit to an automated factory and with a seminar on robotics, in order to obtain the latest information and attract additional highly qualified representation on the panel.
Final Actions on ANSI Standards
Information Systems A N S I / I E E E 829-1983, Software Test Documentation (new standard) Describes a set of basic test documents that are associated with the dynamic aspects of software testing. This standard defines the purpose, outline, and content of each basic document. While the documents described in the standard focus on dynamic testing, several of them may be applicable to other testing activities. Approval data: August 19, 1983 ANSI X3.22-1983, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (800 CPI, N R Z I ) (revision of ANSI X3.22-1973) Provides specifications for format and recording to 1/2-inch, 9-track magnetic tape to be used for information interchange a m o n g information processing systems, communication systems, and
220 associated equipment utilizing ANSI X3.4-1977, American National Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Approval date: August 19, 1983 ANSI X3.100-1983, Interface between Data Terminal Equipment and Data CircuitTerminating Equipment for Packet Mode Operation with Packet Switched Data Communications Networks (new standard) Establishes the interface characteristics and procedures for packet mode operation between data terminal equipment and packet switched data communications networks. This standard adopts CCITT Recommendation X.25 as approved in November 1980 by the VII Plenary Assembly of the CCITT. Approval data: August 19, 1983 ANSI/IEEE 729-1983, Terminology, Glossary Defines terms in general gineering field. Approval data: August 9,
Software Engineering of (new standard) use in the software en1983
ANSI X3.46-1974 (R1983), Unrecorded Magnetic Six-Disk Pack (General, Physical, and Magnetic Characteristics) (reaffirmation) Specifies the general, physical, and magnetic requirements for interchangeability of the magnetic six-disk pack between disk storage drives and associated information processing systems. Reaffirmation date: August 5, 1983
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Computers International Microelectronics Developments to be Monitored The NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology and the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation are jointly funding a project to gather information about major developments in computer science and microelectronics at foreign universities and industrial laboratories.
To be carried out by a Panel on International Developments in Microelectronics and Computer Science appointed by the Computer Science and Technology Board of the National Academy of Sciences, the project will focus on prompt communication of foreign developments to Englishspeaking technical experts. Plans included visits to Japan, publication of summaries of research work, and translation of Japanese documents.
NBS Study Cites Benefits of Proposed COBOL Standard Revision The federal government, a major COBOL user, will net an estimated $72 million in benefits if a proposed revision to the COBOL programming language standard is adopted, according to a study published by NBS. The study estimates that it will cost the federal government approximately $18 million to convert old COBOL programs to the revised standard. A total of $90 million in benefits over 10 years is expected. The study assesses the costs and benefits for the federal government if the proposed revision is adopted as a Federal Information Processing Standard. The study, Cost-Benefit Impact Study on the Adoption of the Draft Proposed Revised X3.23 American National Standard Programming Language COBOL (NBSIR 83-2639), is available for $11.50 prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by PB #83-191098.
Microcomputer Information Exchange Set Up An electronic bulletin board which will enable users to exchange information and read bulletins on microcomputer-related topics has been established by the NBS Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology (ICST). Information on topics such as conferences, seminars, and workshops, telecomputing services, user and special interest groups, other electronic bulletin boards, publications, and new products and technology will be available. Users will be able to update the information and recommend additional entries. Both federal and non-federal users who have the appropriate terminal capability (ASCII, 300 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit) will be able to reach the exchange by dialing 301/948-5718.
221
Artificial Intelligence Natural Language Processing by Computer NBS has published an 'overview' of the field of computer-based natural language processing, or 'computational linguistics'. The report presents a concise review of the problem getting computers to 'understand' natural languages such as English, including the principle approaches now being pursued, the linguistic theories that lie behind the research, the state of the art, future research goals, and possible applications for the technology, including 'automatic programming', computer translators, and sophisticated control systems that can be operated by relatively untrained users. Written by Dr. William Gevarter, the report is one of a series of overviews of the field of artificial intelligence and robotics produced as part of a cooperative program between NBS and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. An Overview of Computer-Based Natural Language Processing (NBSIR 83-2687) is available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 for $11.50 (paperback) or $4.50 (microfiche), prepaid. Order by PB g* 83-200832.
NBS Develops Guidelines for Establishing DP Charging System NBS has issued step-by-step guidelines to help managers of data processing (DP) facilities design, develop, implement, and operate a system to charge for DP services. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) 96, Guideline for Developing and Implementing a Charging System for Data Processing Services, outlines a general approach to developing a charging system. This approach can then be tailored to suit an individual user's needs. FIPS PUB 96 can be ordered for $11.50 prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by FIPS PUB 96 and title.
Joint Standard for Packet-Switched Networks Approved A joint standard for interconnecting computer terminals to packet-switched data communications networks has been approved by both the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Gen-
eral Services Administration. To be published as Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 100, Interface between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE) for Operation with Packet-Switched Data Communications Networks, and Federal Standard 1041, the joint standard is based on a subset of Recommendation X.25 of the Consultative Committee of the International Telecommunications Union. This provision of the joint standard was developed by NBS and the National Communications System. In addition, NBS has developed a test and evaluation service to determine whether equipment and services conform to this joint standard. The service will be available to both vendors and buyers who want to follow the options specified in the standard. For further information about the joint standard or the verification program, contact Michael Wong, A216 Technology Building, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC 20234, or 301/921-3723.
Computers Computer Standards" Agreement Signed Between DCA and NBS The Defense Communications Agency (DCA) and NBS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in developing network protocol and interface standards that meet the needs of both the Department of Defense and the nondefense agencies of the federal government. DCA and NBS will work together in determining requirements for network protocol and interface standards, developing and testing standards, achieving implementation in commercial products, and gaining acceptance of proposed standards in national and international standards organizations.
NBS Issues Two New Information Processing Standards" NBS has developed two new computer standards: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 95, Codes for the Identification of Federal and Federally-Assisted Organizations, and FIPS 97, Operational Specifications for Fixed Block
222
Rotating Mass Storage Subsystems. FIPS 95 provides four-character codes to aid in collecting, processing, and exchanging information about federal operations. The codes identify legislative, judicial, and executive branch agencies as well as certain organizations which are federally-sponsored or aided. FIPS 97, together with FIPS 60, I / O Channel Interface, and FIPS 61, Channel Level Power Control Interface, is an alternative to FIPS 63, Operational Specifications for Variable Blade Rotating Mass Storage Systems. The group of standards provides for full plug-to-plug interchangeability of fixed block rotating mass storage equipment as a part of ADP systems. The new publications (FIPS 95 and 97) can be ordered for $11.50 each, prepaid from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. Order by FIPS number and title.
2. Approved Standards Copies of these Standards may be purchased from: IEEE Service Center, (201) 981-0060, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA These are summarized in Table 1.
2.1. A N S I / IEEE 729-1983: IEEE Standard Glossary Of Software Engineering Terminology The Chairperson is: S. Gloss-Soler, (315) 3360937, liT Research Institute, P.O. Box 180, Rome, NY 13440, USA The standard was approved by ANSI on 5 August 1983. Further action on the International area is being held in abeyance pending completion of the efforts on the establishment of I S O / T C 97/SC-22 (see section 6.3.1.).
2.2. A N S I / I E E E 730-1981: IEEE Standard For Software Quality Assurance Plans IEEE
S o f t w a r e Engineering S t a n d a r d s S u b c o m m i t tee
Technical Committee on Software Engineering IEEE Computer Society STATUS REPORT, 25 August 1983
The Chairperson is Fletcher J. Buckley, (609) 778-3606, RCA, Mail Stop 101-229, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA Status is as follows - the Standard was: approved by ANSI on 21 July 1982; submitted to the Secretariat, I S O / T C - 1 7 6 by the Chairman, USTAG on 17 March 1983; and submitted to the Chief, US Delegate, ISO/TC-97 on 24 February 1983. Projected milestones are as follows: approved by I S O / T C 176 at their next meeting - March 1984; and approved by I S O / T C 97 - March 1984.
1. Purpose The purpose of this memo is to provide the status of efforts on: (1) approved standards; (2) approved projects; (3) tentative projects; (4) software engineering seminars; (5) other items.
2.3. 1EEE Std 828: 1EEE Standard For Software Configuration Management Plans The Chairperson is: Rick Fredrick, (214) 9952690, Texas Instruments, M.S.B, P.O. Box 5012, Dallas, TX 75067, USA
Table 1 Approved Software Engineering Standards ANSI/IEEE Std 730-1981,
IEEE
Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans
ANSI/IEEE Std 729-1983,
IEEE
Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology
ANSI/IEEE Std 829-1983,
IEEE
Standard for Software Test Documentation
IEEE Std 828-1983,
IEEE
Standard for Software Configuration Management Plans
223
The standard was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 24 June 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: standard forwarded for ANSI approval - August 1983. 2.4. I E E E 829-1983: I E E E Standard For Software Test Documentation The Chairperson is: David Gelperin, (612) 5428620, 2425 Zealand Ave. N., Golden Valley, MN 55427, USA This standard was approved by ANSI on 19 August 1983. Further action on the International area is being held in abeyance pending completion of the efforts on the establishment of I S O / T C 97/SC-22 (see section 6.3.1.).
3. Approved Projects
Current status is that the changes to the Standard were provided to the Balloting Group on 22 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: Draft changes provided to the IEEE Standards Board by 1 November 1983. 3.2. P830: A Guide For Software Requirements Specifications The Chairperson is: A1 Davis, (602) 582-7069, G T E Network Systems, 2500 West Utopia Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027, USA The draft Guide was provided to the IEEE Standards Board on 8 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: Revised draft Guide approved by the IEEE Standards Board September 1983. 3.3. P982: A Standard For Software Reliability measurement
These are shown in Table 2. 3.1. P730-1: A Standard For Software Quality Assurance Plans The Chairperson is: Fletcher J. Buckley, (609) 778-3606. RCA, Mail Stop 101-229, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA The Co-Chairperson is: Robert Felker, (215) 770-6675, Penn Power and Light, 2 North 9th St, Allentown, PA 18101, USA A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board at their 23 Sept. 1982 meeting to revise the Standard. The last meeting of the working group was held on 14 June 1983 at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC.
Table 2 Approved Software Engineering Standard Projects A Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans (Revision) (P730~1) A Guide for Software Requirements Specifications (P830) A Standard for Software Reliability Measurement (P982) A Guide for Software Quality Assurance (P983) A Guide for the Use of ADA a as a PDL (P990) Software Engineering Standards Taxonomy (P1002) A Standard for Software Unit Testing (P1008) '~ ADA is a registered trademark of the US Government. AJPO.
The Chairperson is: Jim Dobbins, (703) 3673912, MS 105-913, IBM FSD, 9501) Goodwin Drive, Manassas, VA 22110, USA Co-Chairpersons are: Ted Workman, 011 44 344 773119, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berks, RG 11 3LL, England; and Ray Leber, (215) 962-2000, General Electric Co., P.O. Box 8555, Room M2216, Philadelphia, PA 19101, USA The sixth meeting was held on 28-30 June 1983 at TRW, Redondo Beach CA. The schedule for forthcoming meetings is as follows: October 1983, Norden CT; 15-16 December 1983, Gaithersburg MD; March 1984, Orlando, FL. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board, at their December 1982 meeting subject to the inclusion of coordination with I E C / T C 56. The first coordinated draft has been produced. Projected milestones are as follows: first complete draft - July 1984; draft standard balloted December 1984. 3.4. P983: surance
A Guide For Software Quality As-
The Chairperson is: G. Tice, (503) 62%1310, Tektronix, P.O. Box 392, Wilsonville, OR 97070, USA The Co-chairperson is: A.K. Ackerman, (201)
224 981-7946, Bell Laboratories, 6 Corporate Place, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA The last meeting was held at Seattle, Washington on 3-5 May 1983. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: Minneapolis MN, 13-15 September 1983; Tampa FL, January 1984; Wichita KS, May 1984. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board at their December 1982 meeting with the addition of coordination with ISO/TC 97. The first complete draft was produced and distributed for comment on 2 August 1983. Projected milestone is as follows: draft Standard balloted - June 1984.
3.5. P990: A Guide For The Use Of ADA As A Program Design Language ADA is a registered trademark of the United States Government Dept. of Defense (AJPO). The Chairperson is: Bob Blasewitz, (609) 7783955, RCA, MS 101-210, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA The Co-Chairperson is: Mark S. Gearhardt, (401) 847-8000, Raytheon, P.O. Box 360, Portsmouth, RI 02871, USA The last meeting was held on 25-27 May 1983, Berkshire, England. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: September 1983, RCA, Moorestown NJ. Status is as follows: The US Government Dept. of Defense ADA Joint Program Office (AJPO) provided permission to this organization to use their trademarked term ADA, in connection with this project, by telegram on 11 March 1983. A Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standard Board at their 17 March 1983 meeting. The scope and outline have been completed. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - December 1983. Draft standard balloted - July 1984. 3.6.
PlO02:
Software Engineering
Standards
Taxonomy The Chairperson is: Leonard Tripp, (206) 5755390, Boeing Computer Services, MS 9C-70, P.O.
Box 24346, Seattle, WA 98124, USA The Co-Chairpersons are: Ralph Wachter, (301) 953-7100, Ext 7386, Johns Hopkins APL, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20707, USA; and Perry Nuhn, (203) 375-0200 ext 266, ITT Programming Technology Center, 1000 Oronoque Lane, Stratford, CT 06443, USA The last meeting was held on 27-29 June 1983, Toronto, Canada. The schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 12-14 October 1983, Stratford CT; 24-26 January 1984, Los Angeles CA; April 1984, Southeast. Status is as follows: The Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 24 June 1983. Four items have been released for comment to interested parties: (1) A Project Plan, dated 28 March 1983; (2) A Statement of Requirements, dated 28 March 1983; (3) A bulletin requesting involvement in clarifying some fundamental issues in defining a Software Engineering Standards Taxonomy; (4) A bulletin requesting support in building a Taxonomy Reference Library. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - September 1984; Draft standard balloted - April 1985.
3. 7. PlO08: ing
A Standard For Software Unit Test-
The Chairperson is: David Gelperin, (612) 5428620, 2425 Zealand Ave. N, Golden Valley, MN 55427, USA The Co-chairperson is: Hugh Spillane, RCA, A / S, Mail Stop 18-2, P.O. Box 588, Burlington, MA 01803, USA The last meeting was on 9-12 August 1983, at New Hampshire. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 14-17 November 1983, TX; 6-9 February 1984, Los Angeles CA; May 1984, Toronto, Canada; August 1984, Seattle WA; November 1984, Europe. The Project Authorization Request was approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 23 June 1983. The scope and outline have been completed. Projected milestones are as follows: First complete draft - May 1984; Draft standard balloted December 1984.
225
4. Tentative Projects
10.4 committee which is working on a similar topic for the American Nuclear Society (see below).
These are shown in Table 3.
4.3. A Standard For Software Ret~'iewsAnd Audits 4.1. Guide For Software Design Documentation The Chairperson is: C.R. Cockerham, (303) 451-3571 (office), (303) 469-9148 ( H o m e Recorder), Dept 50002133, Room 30E12, American Bell Inc., 11900 North Pecos St., Denver, CO 80234, USA. The Co-chairperson is: Jim Darling, (303) 6737617, Storage Technology Corp, Mail Stop 93, 2270 South 88th St, Louisville, CO 80027, USA. The last meeting was held on 1-3 June 1983 at Corpus Christi TX. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 12-14 December 1983, Denver CO. Status is as follows: A Project Authorization Request was forwarded to the IEEE Standards Board by the Chairperson, Computer Standards Committee, on 25 July 1983.
4.2. A Standard For Software Verification Plans The Chairperson is: Roger Fujii, (213) 831-0611 Ext 2480, Logicon, Inc., 255 West Fifth St,, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA. The Co-chairperson is: Douglas McMann (213) 535-4917, T R W Defense and Space Systems Group, Mail Stop m l / 1 4 0 6 , 1 Space Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, USA. The last meeting was 21-24 June 1983 at Lexington MA. Schedule of forthcoming meetings is as follows: 28-30 September 1983, Washington DC; December 1983, to be decided. A Project Authorization Request was forwarded to IEEE Standards Board on 9 August 1983. Contact has been established with the ANS
Table 3 Tentative Software Engineering Standards Projects A Guide for Software Design Documentation A Standard for Software Verification Plans A Standard for Software Reviews and Audits A Guide for Software Configuration Management A Standard Classification for Software Errors, Faults and Failures A Guide to Software EngineeringTechniques A Standard for Software Productivity Metrics
The Chairperson is: Charles P. Hollocker, (312) 979-4137, American Bell, Inc., 901 Rolling Drive, Lisle, IL 60532, USA. The initial meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel. (703) 920-3230, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. The meeting will begin at 9:00 am on 27 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room number.
4.4. A Guide For Software Configuration Management Plans The Chairperson is: Richard Van Tillburg, (714) 732-2307, Hughes Aircraft Corporation, Bldg 618, MS B209, P.O. Box 3310, Fullerton, CA 92634, USA. The initial meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will begin at 10:30 am on 27 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room number.
4.5. A Standard Classification of Software Errors, Faults, and Failures The Chairperson is: Dick Evans, (213) 536-3805, TRW, Mail Stop R4/2182, One Space Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90728, USA. The Co-Chairperson is: David Simmons, (607) 751-5346, IBM, FSD, M.C. 889 B P75, Owego, N Y 13827, USA. The first meeting will be held at C o m p C o n Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 9:00 am on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
4.6. Software Engineering Techniques Handbook The Chairperson is: Tim Kasse, (602) 829-3572, Motorola Microsystems, Mail Stop DW-160, 2900 South Diablo Way, Tempe, AZ 85282, USA. The Co-Chairpersons are: W,R. Gills, (619) 277-8900 Ext. 1492, General Dynamics Electronic
226 Div., Mail Zone 03-0729, P.O. Box 85808, San Diego, CA 92138 USA; and Martin Brooks, 26958-80, Norwegian Central Institute, Blindern, Forskignsuein 1, Oslo, 3, Norway. The first meeting will be held at CompCon Fall, 27-29 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 10:30 am on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
4. 7. A Standard For Software Productivity Metrics The Chairperson is: Eleanor Antreassian, (201) 981-6479, Bell Labs, Room 3B121, 6 Corporate Place, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. The first meeting held at CompCon Fall, 28-30 September 1983, Washington DC. The meeting will start at 1:00 pm on 28 September 1983. Check the bulletin board for an announcement of the room.
5. Software Engineering Standards Seminars Table 4 shows the Fall schedule of Software Engineering Seminars sponsored by this subcommittee jointly with the IEEE Standards Board. Table 4 Fall Schedule of Software Engineering Seminars Seminar Title Date
Place
Software Quality Assurance
AtlantaGA San FranciscoCA Las VegasNA
Software Test
12-14 September 1983 26-28 October 1983 30 November2 December 1983 29-30 September 1983 24-25 October 1983 28-29 November1983
ArlingtonVA San Francisco CA Las VegasNA
The 1984 schedule is currently projected as in Table 5. For details on these seminars, contact should be made with the following: R. Poston, (201) 922-8691, SESS Seminar Technical Director, 58 Lambert Johnson Drive, Ocean, NJ 07712, USA.
6. Other Items
6.1. Organizational Representation The following are the current representative to this subcommittee from standard-making organizations:
Table 5 1984 Projected Schedule of Software Engineering Seminars Software Quality Assurance
February 1984 April 1984 May 1984 July 1984 September 1984 October 1984 November 1984
Orlando FL Boston MA San Francisco CA London UK New Orleans MI San Francisco CA East Coast
Software test
February 1984 April 1984 May 1984 September 1984 October 1984 November 1984
Orlando FL Boston MA San FranciscoCA New Orleans MI San Francisco CA East Coast
Software Configuration Management To be initiated Fall 1984 Software Requirements To be initiated Fall 1984
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Software Systems Technical Committee: Robert R. Jones, (714)732-3849, Hughes Aircraft Corp., P.O. Box 3310, MS 618/b218, Fullerton, CA 92634, USA A N S / N P E C Joint Working Group: N.C. Farr, (812) 289-3000 ext 1495, Public Service Indiana, P.O. Box 190, New Washington, IN 47162, USA; and Jim Thomas (alternate), (704) 3734612, 422 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28242, USA American Nuclear Society: Dr. Gerald W. Main, Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Westinghouse Hanford Co., P.O. Box 1970, Richland, WA 99352, USA ANS Z I : John Milandin, (313) 994-7778, Bechtel Power Corp., 777 East Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA ASQC: Art Ferlan, (603) 884-6711, Digital Equipment Corp., M / S MK 1-2/Q15, Continental Blvd, Merrimack, N H 03054, USA AS'I~._4: Peter E. Schilling, Chairman, ASTM C o m A E-31 (CS), (412) 337-2724, Alum. Co. of America, Alcoa Technical Center, Alcoa Center, PA 15069, USA
227 DPMA: William E. Perry, (305) 876-4292, Quality Assurance Institute, 9222 Bay Point Drive, Orlando, FL 32811, USA EDP Auditors Foundation: Stanley R. Jarocki, Bankers Trust Co., Four Albany Street, New York, NY 10015, USA EIA: H. Ronald Berlack, (603) 885-5170, Saunders Associates, M / S NCA1-4222, 95 Canal St, Nashua, N H 03691, USA IEEE Reliability Society: Dr, T.L. Regulinski, (602) 932-7321, Goodyear Aerospace, P.O. Box 295, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA National Security Industrial Association (NSIA): Perry Nuhn, (203) 375-0200 ext 266, ITF Programming Technology Center, 1000 Oronoque Lane, Stratford, CT 06443, USA 6,2. Organizational Points Of Contact The following are organizational points of contact: ANS X3 KI: Michael Landes, Chairperson, (730) 521-5280, ext 271, ANS X-3 K1, Program Documentation, Computer Science Corp., 400 Army-Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, USA -
Dept of Defense: William P. LaPlant, (202) 695-0499, A F / A C D T , Rm 5C1084, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330, USA -
6.3. Other Standards Activities of Interest The activities listed below are not a part of the effort of this Subcommittee. They are of direct interest, however, and so are identified herein. 6.3.1. I S D / TC-97 The following information is extracted from the minutes of the IEEE Standards Board of 24 June 1983. Secretary's Report: 'At a meeting of the X3 Committee held in Washington on June 2 and 3, the Committee, acting as the Technical Advisory Group to TC 97, asked IEEE to assume responsibility as Secretariat to act as the Technical Advisory
Group for a new Activity within TC 97 on software engineering .... ' Report of Standards Board actions: '7. Authorized IEEE to assume the Secretariat of a new ISO sub-committee (tentatively identified as 1SO TC97/SC22) on Software Engineering."
6.3.2. P610. Computer Dictionary The Chairperson is: Jane Radatz, (619) 4551330, Logicon, Inc., P.O. Box 80158, San Diego, CA 92138, USA. This effort is sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society Computer Standards Committee. The last meeting was 22 23 July 1983 at Columbus OH. Next meeting is scheduled for 4-5 November 1983, at Rosslyn VA. 6.3.3. A N S 10.4 Guideline For Software Verification And Validation The contactperson is: J.W. Wiley, (213) 8072000, Bechtel Power Corp., P.O. Box 60860, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, CA 90060, USA. This effort is sponsored by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Committee 10.4. As of 1 June 1983, they were in the sixth draft of their guideline. 6.4. S E S S Administration The SESS Guide to Standards Development was approved by ballot of the SESS Executive Board on July 1983. 6.5. Miscellaneous The Third Software Engineering Standards Application Workshop is tentatively scheduled for October 1984. Chairperson is: Leonard Tripp, (206) 575-5390, Boeing Computer Services, MS 9C-70, P.O. Box 24346, Seattle, WA 98124, USA. The next SESS Executive Board meeting is scheduled for CompCon Fall, Washington, DC. There will be a national conference on systems reliability in December 1983 at NBS. Further information is available from J. Dobbins. Spring CompCon will be the week of 28 February 1984 at San Francisco CA. Fall CompCon will be the week of 16 September 1984 at Arlington VA.
228 [Editors Note: We are grateful to the Software Engineering & Standards Subcommittee for permission to reprint their Status Report.]
X3
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Draft Proposed American National Standard BSR X3.118-198X, PIN Pad X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of a draft proposed American National Standard X3.118-198x, PIN Pad, which was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B10 on C r e d i t / I D Cards. This draft proposed standard is intended to identify the alpha and numeric characters and their correlation with the keyboard of a PIN pad. A PIN pad is a keyboard used by a customer "to enter a Personal Identification Number when requested as part of a transaction. The PIN may consist of 4-12 alpha and numeric characters. A standard is needed to provide compatibility between terminals and networks. By uniformly establishing the correlation between alpha and numeric characters and PIN pad keys, customers and network operators benefit. The draft proposed standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $5.00.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Two Draft Proposed American National Standards X3.119-198x, 1 0 0 / 2 1 0 MM Digital Recording Disk, and X3.120-198X, 2 0 0 / 6 3 . 5 MM Digital Recording Disk X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of two draft proposed American N a t i o n a l S t a n d a r d s X3.119-198x, C o n t a c t S t a r t / S t o p Storage Disk, 158361 Flux Transitions per Track, 8.268 inch (210 mm) Outer Diameter and 3.937 inch (100 mm) Inner Diameter, and Contact Start/Stop Storage Disk, 95840 Flux
Transitions per Track 7.874 inch (200 mm) Outer Diameter and 2.500 Inch (63.5 mm) Inner Diameter. These draft proposed standards were developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B7 on Magnetic Disks. These draft proposed standards are intended to be helpful references in defining the physical and electromagnetic characteristics of disks in order to facilitate the manufacture, assembly and use of the disks that are interchangeable with one another. It defines the measurable characteristics in such a way as to distinguish them from those of the rest of the interfacing system. The draft proposed standards are available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $10.00 for each.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.58-1977, Unrecorded Eleven Disk Pack X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the proposed reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.58-1977, Unrecorded Eleven Disk Pack. This standard was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B7 on Magnetic Disks. ANS X3.58-1977 specifies the general, physical, and magnetic characteristics required for the physical interchange of magnetic eleven-disk packs for use in electronic data processing systems. The standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained for the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $9.00 plus $2.00 for postage and handling.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment on Draft Revision to American National Standard X3.39-1973, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (1600 CPI, Phase Encoded Recording) In accordance with ANSI procedures which require a five-year review of its approved stan-
229 dards, American National Standard Committee X3, Information Processing Systems, announces a four-month period of public review and comment on revision of American National Standard X3.391973, Recorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (1600 COP, Phase Encoded Recording). X3's Technical Committee, X3B1 on Magnetic Tape, recomments that this revision be adopted. This standard provides specifications for format and recording for a ½ inch 9-track magnetic tape to be used for information interchange among information processing systems, communication systems, and associated equipment utilizing ANSI X3.4-1977, (lodes for Information Interchange. It deals solely with recording on magnetic tape and supports and complements ANSI X3.40-1983, Unrecorded Magnetic Tape for Information Interchange (9-track 200 and 800 CPI, N R Z I and 1600 CPI, PE). The draft proposed revision is available for public review and comment for a period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $10.00.
X3 Announces Public Review and Comment on Reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.42-1975, Representation of Numeric Values in Character Strings for Information Interchange In accordance with ANSI procedures which require a five-year review of its approved standards, American National Standards Committee X3, Information Processing System, announces a four-month period of public review and comment on reaffirmation of American National Standard X3.42-1975, Representation of Numeric Value in Character Strings for Information Interchange. X3's Technical Committee, X3L5 on Codes and Character Sets, recommends that this American National Standard be reaffirmed, This standard specifies the syntax as the elements of three sets of character sets of character strings which are decimal positional representa-
tions of numeric values, that is, numeric representations (NRs). This American National Standard is available for public review and comment for a period ending February 28, 1984. Copies may be obtained from The American National Standard Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $8.00 plus $2.00 to cover postage and handling. X3 Announces Public Review and Comment Period on Draft Proposed American National Standard B S R X3.117-198x, Printable/Image Areas for Text and Facsimile Communication Equipment X3, Information Processing Systems, announces the availability of a draft proposed American National Standard X3.117-198x, Printable/Image Areas for Text and Facsimile Communication Equipment, which was developed by X3's Technical Committee X3B9 on P a p e r / F o r m s Layout. This draft proposed standard is intended to define the sizes and location of the printable/image areas common to both the ISO A4 and North American paper sizes for international communication on text and facsimile equipment. The purpose is to establish common printable/image areas which provide a logical format for information interchange between countries on worldwide International networks and allow the material contained in the image area to be reproduced from either size of paper into the other without loss of essential information. The draft proposed standard is available for public review and comment for a four-month period ending February 13, 1984. Copies may be obtained from the X3 Secretariat. Orders must include a self-addressed mailing label and advance payment of $8.00. Comments on the above standards should be addressed to the X3 Secretariat, CBEMA, Suite 500, 311 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA, with copies to ANSI, Board of Standards Review, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA.