ISO/IEC JTC
1/SC22
Programming languages, their
environments and system software interfaces
Secretariat:
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC22
N3811
TITLE:
Recording Secretary's
Meeting Report of the Future Directions for SC 22 Ad Hoc Session, 6 September
2004
DATE
ASSIGNED:
2004-09-15
SOURCE:
Ad Hoc Recording Secretary
(S. Seitz)
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This document was prepared
by the Ad Hoc Recording Secretary.
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___________________end of
cover page, beginning of document____________
Ad Hoc on Future SC 22
Direction
6 September 2004
Convener-
It was noted that the agenda for the meeting, as well as
a contribution to the Ad Hoc by Jim Moore would be assigned SC 22 document
numbers and circulated.
Mr. Hodgson began the discussion by listing four topics
that SC 22 could explore as future project areas:
1.)
Inter-language
communication
2.)
High Integrity
applications
3.)
New functionality; e.g. to simplify
parallel processing, high-performance computing, distributed data or distributed
processing
4.)
New languages
Members of the Ad Hoc suggested the following as
possible future project areas:
1.)
Standards education
2.)
Functionality
3.)
Uniformity of interfaces (please
note TR 18037)
The topic of LINUX was brought up, but quickly tabled by
the convener as there is time assigned to the SC 22 Plenary Agenda for this
discussion.
Mr. Hodgson began with a contribution from
1.)
A guide to selecting a programming
language suitable to a high-integrity usage.
2.)
A comparison of programming
language characteristics suitable to high integrity usage
3.)
Standards for meta-language
constructions-e.g. assertions and other mechanisms for demonstrating correctness
in a manner that is uniform or comparable across programming
languages.
4.)
Standards for subsets, profiles of
dialects of programming languages suitable for high-integrity
applications
5.)
Guidance for usage of programming
languages in a manner suitable for high-integrity applications.
Members of the Ad Hoc looked favorably upon the idea of
this new WG, but agreed that this step is at least a year away. The group
must consider all other areas of future projects before proposing a new
WG.
The Convener explained that his intention for the group
was to come up with a list of topics that could be explored in the coming year
before next year's SC 22 Plenary meeting. He anticipates that a meeting of
this group could take place in six months time to explore any findings.
It was noted by the Japanese delegation that perhaps the
creation of an Ad Hoc is not necessary. SC 22 could continue as it has
been, with new project areas being proposed as New Work Item Proposals by either
National Bodies or WGs. The role of this Ad Hoc should be a brainstorming
session to encourage NBs and WGs to propose New Work Items.
The Chair of SC 22 noted his desire for new project
areas to be explored by the subcommittee, as the last area of new work began
thirteen years ago. Currently, SC 22 is maintaining and improving
languages and projects already in existence.
The Free Standards Group suggested that the SC 22
explore doing work on libraries, more specifically, a standard on what a library
should contain and the interfaces that should be
used..
The Convener noted that many industries and domains are
modifying languages to suit their needs. These groups need to be made
aware that SC 22 can assist with the development of languages, or modifications
to languages, that can suit their needs. These comments began a discussion
on the importance of educating those outside of SC 22 on the work of the
committee.
It was agreed that more emphasis must be put on
educating corporations and consortia on the work of SC 22. It was
suggested that an informal workshop be included into the Plenary schedule for
next year's SC 22 meeting, but it was quickly agreed that the target audience
would not be reached. It was suggested that such a "workshop" be offered
in conjunction with some other conference or meeting.
The idea of corporate sponsorship of WGs was brought up,
and it was agreed that the creation of a list containing all the corporations
who have sponsored WG meetings in the last five years be compiled. This
list could serve as a basis for where SC 22 educational "workshops" could be
marketed.
Further discussion ensued on the high visibility and
usage of the SC 22 WG sites, as explored in the Google search engine. It
was agreed that this data shows value in the SC 22 sites, it does not mean that
the SC 22 message is reaching all that it needs to.
The Ad Hoc concluded with the following four topics that
would be explored further, along with the Ad Hoc members who volunteered to
explore them and create a report by 15 January 2004 on the risks and benefits of
further exploration by SC 22 or it's Ad Hoc on Future
Directions:
1.)
High Integrity Systems-Jim
Moore
2.)
Libraries-
3.)
Workshop Outreach
4.)
Industry Consortia-
The Ad Hoc Convener noted his willingness to host the
next meeting of the participants, be it in one Ad Hoc or four Ad Hocs separated
by topic, in
The meeting concluded with the SC 22 Chair
expressing his gratitude to the Convener, Mr. Hogdson, for a job well
done.
Program
Administrator
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