“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
The SDL Task Force

Mandate


Define the simplest, useful, enhanced SDL-subset
Structure

Consortium of founding members


Contributing members



Editorial board
Review and comment on work of editorial board
Recognized by the SDL-Forum
A.4 qualified member
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Editorial Board



William Skelton
SOLINET, Stuttgart
Vangelis Kollias
TELETEL, Athens
Alkis Yiannakoulias National Technical University of Athens
Contributing members review and comment on
the work of the editorial board.
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Milestones








Foundation: July 2003
www.SDL-Task-Force.org launched: August 2003
Version 1.1, 1st draft document: August 2003
Version 1.2 (internal)
Version 1.3, 3rd draft document: March 2004
1st Release: SAM’04 Workshop June 2004
Update with SAM’04 comments planned 3Q2004
Graphical representation planned 1Q2005
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Background

SDL has become big and complex



SDL not designed for testing


Implementation of tools is expensive
New users need to be skilled software engineers
No support for test related needs
SDL includes ASN.1 types but not PDU encoding

External tools needed, e.g ASN.1 compilers
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Goals

Identify the simplest, useful SDL-subset



Add the simplest, useful enhancements for



Test Specifications
PDU Encoding
Ensure automated graphical presentation


Cheaper for tool suppliers to support
Easier for new users to learn
No need for users to format their designs
Promote SDL
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Decision Making Process



Pragmatic, fast-moving, target driven approach
Start from simplest requirements
Consider essential features






Applications not possible without these
Remain compatible with SDL if possible
Avoid constructs with difficult implementation
Include constructs used in common applications
Focus on completeness, symmetry, simplicity
Encourage good style, i.e. data-hiding, scope
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Significant Results

Prototype language


Innovative Breakthrough


Only one language for implementation and testing!
Already at least one compatible tool available


Limited features covering all goals
SAFIRE-SDL
Working name for SDL Task Force work:

SDL+
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
Significant Results



SDL Forum votes to recognize the current status of
the SDL Task Force work and to build on the
identified subset in any work done by an SDL Forum
Society work group
Subset syntax
Subset syntax with extensions for encoding of PDUs
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org
More help needed!

The SDL Task Force works on a voluntary basis


The project is getting larger & larger


‘Never ending story’ 
Contributors and reviewers needed



No funding
No reward, no thanks, only blood, sweat & tears 
But… members names are published 
Join us at: www.SDL-Task-Force.org
“The documentation is the design, the design is the system!”
Copyright © 2003-2004 SDL Task Force Consortium. All rights reserved.
www.SDL-Task-Force.org