Specification

A specification is a document that describes the essential technical requirements for an object, a system, or a standard. The specifications give the objective criteria for determining whether an item agrees with its descriptors. Thus specifications can be used as either a plan for the future or a validation of an existing system.

In terms of software or network practice, specifications identify valid and invalid expressions and actions. At times WWW specifications are published as a draft standard that describes current practice, as part of an effort to change a "standard practice" into a standard.

URLs:

IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)

The site of the Internet Engineering Task Force explains the difference between an Internet RFC and a standard, and the criteria used by the IETF to determine whether a set of specifications are eligible to become a proposed standard, a draft standard, or an actual standard. This is a fascinating site with many interesting links to standards.

Technical Information and Specifications HyperText Markup Language (HTML)

This site provides a close look at the forums, discussion groups, task forces-- here you can see what has been done, and get a good picture of what is coming in the immediate future.

W3E References:

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

protocol

standard

Print References:

• The World Wide Web Unleashed by John December & Neil Randall, 2nd ed. Sams Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. 1995. ISBN 0-672-30737-5