This part of ISO 6983 specifies requirements and makes recommendations for a data format for positioning, line motion and contouring control systems used in the numerical control of machines. This part of ISO 6983 helps the co-ordination of system design in order to minimize the variety of program manuscripts required, to promote uniformity of programming techniques, and to foster interchangeability of input programs between numerically controlled machines of the same classification by type, process, function, size and accuracy. It is intended that simple numerically controlled machines be programmed using a simple format, which is systematically extensible for more complex machines.

This part of ISO 6983 is not intended for use in the specialized cases of numerically controlled flame cutting machines and drafting machines used specifically and exclusively in the shipbuilding industry. In this application, a related format (“the ESSI Format”) is specified in ISO 6582.