Conformance and requirements as drafted are unacceptable. This can be corrected. The important word "shall" is defined in Part 1 in a way that accords with ISO Directives Part 1. However, the word "shall" is not used in this specification according to this definition, especially in Part 4. In multiple cases, "shall" is used for optional or even deprecated functionality. For example, in Part 4, s2.15.3 Compatability Settings and its subclauses. Furthermore, Part 1 s2.4 and s2.5 specify that conformance is purely syntactic, which contradicts the definition of "shall" in part 1.2 which speaks of ‘behave’. Some reviewers found the conformance issues unclear, for example with regard to Part 1 s2.15.3 and subclauses. To encourage maintenance, we strongly urge option 1) is adopted. However, we are aware that this requires review of over six thousand uses of "shall", consequently we suggest that adopting options 2) and 3) should be adopted even if option 1) is not adopted.

Check and correct all uses of "shall" in the standard, especially Part 4, so that all "shall", "should" etc are used in accordance to ISO Directives Part 2, Correct all uses of "shall" in Part 4 s2.15.3 and sub-clauses. Correct the sentence and conformance semantic to "Use of the word ’shall’ indicates a requirement when used of syntax, and the typical behaviour otherwise."

Para 2 Part 1. 2

Ge ed

Proposed Disposition of DIS 29500 Comment AU-0007 (Modified: 2007-12-14) Agreed; some uses of “shall,” “may,” and so on, are inconsistent. Rather than enumerate all places that need changes in this response, general comments on such usage will be addressed in an editorial pass over all parts. This editorial pass will address the comments as follows: The word shall will be used to indicate requirements even if a feature is optional. As a deprecated feature is not optional, the use of shall in such a context makes sense. The word may will be replaced by can or might, as appropriate. The use of may is especially problematic in the negative; does may not mean cannot or might not? These instances will be carefully reviewed and changed. The word must will only be used in informative contexts, never instead of shall. Regarding the use of will and an alternate tense usage, this change will be made. Similar Comments: DE-0042 , DK-0076 , ECMA-0018 , GB-0014 , JP-0006 , JP-0007 , JP-0008