To:	Peter Bessems	NNI
	Secretary SGFS	FAX:  31 15 690 190
			Phone: 31 15 690 390

From:	Jim Isaak
	Convenor JTC1/SC22/WG15

Re: Response to SGFS N232 from ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 (POSIX)



Whereas SGFS has requested input regarding potential extensions of the
scope of ISO/IEC/TR 10000 (ISO/IEC JTC1 SGFS N232), and

Whereas the current work of SGFS appears to be focused primarily on
OSI, and

Whereas the requirement for profiles which include the work of ISO/IEC
JTC1/SC22/WG15 extends beyond the scope of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15, and

Whereas various groups, including TSG-1 and EWOS, are recommending the
development of profiles for Open System Environments (OSE), referred to
in the TSG-1 report as Application Environment Profiles (AEP), and

Whereas the ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 Profile Coordination Ad Hoc meeting
included participants from groups outside of JTC1 who are currently
working on profiles, and

Whereas it will be important to provide timely response to JTC1 TSG-1
recommendations, and

Whereas, unlike OSI, other areas where profiles might be applied may
not have an extensive existing set of base standards, and

Whereas, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 has identified two types of profiles
affecting the work of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15: Environment Profiles
(e.g., Open System Environment, Application Environment) and National
Profiles,

Therefore, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 requests that SGFS convene a special
meeting to address the issue of expanding JTC1 profile activities to
specifically include Open System Environments (OSE).

ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 recommends that agenda topics for this meeting
include the following:

1.   Identification and resolution of gaps in the set of existing base
standards identified in a profile.

How can the gaps be identified?

What actions are required to fill identified gaps?

What actions should be taken while the gap is being filled?

What criteria should be used for establishing priorities in filling the
gaps?

2.   The nested use of profiles.

What are the possible consequences of embedding a profile in another
profile?

What effect might the nesting of profiles have on the number and scope
of profiles developed?

3.   Can a subset of a base standard be used in a profile?

4.   Is it appropriate for a profile to further specify behaviors that
are explicitly left unspecified in a base standard?

5.   How can OSE profiles be harmonized?  What are the appropriate
channels and forums for addressing harmonization?

6.   Should a forum for discussing taxonomies proposed for OSE profiles
be established?

With regard to National Profiles, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 makes three
observations:

1.   National Profiles specify how options and standards should be used
together to meet national cultural needs. For example, date formats,
and reference to appropriate character sets.

2.   Extensions to ISO/IEC/TR 10000 may be needed to address National
Profiles

3.   ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG15 has formed a Rapporteur Group for
Internationalization that could assist in developing any needed
extension to ISO/IEC/TR 10000, and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG20 may also be
interested in making contributions in this regard.