Yes, its an API specification.
Can an abstract API in SIDL be a recommendation ?
I would say not. We had this discussion in OGSA-WG with the BES (and ByteIO) work. A SIDL is not a normative description of the interface, unless there is defined mechanism for mapping from SIDL to a language binding. The conversation we had on the telecon indicated that SAGA-RG would not be producing a defined mapping mechanism, hence the need for the language bindings to be the bit that is standardised. Having a standards track SIDL and standards track binding seems an overkill. Steven -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Steven Newhouse Tel:+44 (0)2380 598789 Director, Open Middleware Infrastructure Institute-UK (OMII-UK) c/o Suite 6005, Faraday Building (B21), Highfield Campus, Southampton University, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK