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Collaborative articulation of how abstraction and language is employed in the computational manifestation of numbers -- including analysis of the role of syntax, semantics, and meaning in the specification and use of software interfaces.
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2004-06-14Interfaces, Protocol Extensibility, and VersioningInterfaces, Protocol Extensibility, and VersioningDave Orchard's Blog: Protocol Extensibility and Versioning. Spotted by Danny Ayers, this blog article argues for the essential qualities of a version-1 protocol that alllows for version-n+1 and evolvability. There are useful links and well-developed arguments. It will be clear that interface contracts are about protocols and we will need to bother with extensibility and versioning as part of exposing how that matters for Peano Numerals, as with any interfaces that will evolve over time. I am already fussing with versioning problems in preparing for the next round of examples and moving to demonstration of at least one reference implementation that honors the com.orcmid.LLC.pa.pn.Num interface. Dave's discussion will be useful as we explore the implementation angle and also look at the impact of interface versioning.The article suggests an interesting approach to managing evolution for protocols as well as formats. And I agree that it might have something to offer for interfaces. For me the key points of the article for our exercise here are (1) authority management (what agents manage changes, is it symmetric?), and (2) the actual behaviors of interface instantiations. I think the example used regarding protocol authority is flawed. First agent B is given authority over the protocol, but then agent A makes changes that agent B needs to handle. It's suggested that authorized versions might be managed by a directory service. I'm confused about who's in charge and how. And I also question the assumption that protocol extensions are always mandatory. It's my experience that many "required" extensions are made to software irrespective of the larger system context of use, usability, etc.
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