Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 11:24:14 -0800 (PST) From: Dave Manning To: iana&iana.org, dmanning&uwi.com Subject: Request for MIME media type Application/Vendor Tree - vnd. Name : Dave Manning E-mail : dmanning&uwi.com MIME media type name : Application MIME subtype name : Vendor Tree - vnd.ufdl Required parameters : NONE Optional parameters : NONE Encoding considerations : UFDL is encoded as ASCII text. Lines of any length are supported, but there are certain character usage restrictions. The full details of the encoding restraints are given in the UFDL specification. Security considerations : UFDL (Universal Forms Description Language) is an alternate syntactical representation of XFDL (vnd.xfdl). UFDL was designed to represent complex business forms on the Web. UFDL includes support for multiple overlapping digital signatures, and auditable transaction records. We believe that UFDL can provide full non-repudiation of contractual forms. Protecting the privacy of a UFDL document during transmission is done using common http encryption techniques. Some thought has been given to providing a built-in system of encryption to protect the privacy of UFDL documents while they reside in a file system, but no such system exists at this time. While UFDL uses a syntax that is reminiscent of a traditional programming language, the logic natively available from UFDL document can not be used to alter the data on a users computer or extract data from that users computer without the users explicit participation. It should be noted, that mechanisms exist within UFDL to extend the UFDL language using native code. It is possible to write native code extensions to UFDL that can manipulate a users local data. (This mechanism is very much like the "plug-in" mechanisms that are popular among browsers.) Because of this, any UFDL extension created using native code need to be explicitly installed by the user on his/her local machine using the same process as the user would use to install a new application. UFDL does not provide any mechanism to transport or install native code extensions from a UFDL document. UFDL also contains a mechanism for extending its logic through the use of Java code. Java code extensions can be either installed by the user using a traditional application installation process or they can be encapsulated in the UFDL document. When a Java extension is encapsulated within a UFDL document, it is executed within a Java sandbox to prevent security concerns. Interoperability considerations : UFDL was designed as a cross-platform language. Published specification : The full UFDL specification can be found at: http://www.uwi.com/ufdl Applications which use this media : UWI.Com's InternetForms viewer, designer and gateway products. Additional information : 1. Magic number(s) : 2. File extension(s) : ufdl, ufd, frm 3. Macintosh file type code : UFDL (Universal Forms Description Language) is an alternate syntactical representation of XFDL (vnd.xfdl). Person to contact for further information : 1. Name : Dave Manning 2. E-mail : dmanning&uwi.com Intended usage : Common We encourage the use of UFDL by other parties. Author/Change controller : Dave Manning - CTO UWI.Com