Recognizing the dissimilarity of various language standards, the objective of ISO/IEC TR 10034 is to provide guidelines for the preparation of conformity clauses for processors and conformity clauses for programs in language standards, together with an annex containing a checklist to aid in this preparation.
It was not considered practical to provide model statements that would be suitable for inclusion in all language standards. Therefore, examples have been given in ISO/IEC TR 10034 to illustrate the type of issues that should be addressed and it is anticipated that these will be adapted, where appropriate, for inclusion in a particular language standard.
It should be borne in mind when reading this document that not all concepts will be applicable to all languages. As an example, language standards do not all specify subsets or permit extensions, and elements that are fully specified by one language standard may be dependent on the processor in another.
ISO/IEC TR 10034 on conformity clauses for programming language standards is useful for:
Conformity clauses are included within the language standard to aid the user of ISO/IEC TR 10034 in assessing the conformity of processors and programs for adherence to the language standard. If conformity requirements are imprecise, testing for compliance can be difficult and potentially impossible for large portions of the language standard.
Therefore, these guidelines specified in ISO/IEC TR 10034 seek to encourage the inclusion of conformity clauses in programming language standards and recommend that the language standard precisely identify the criteria that must be met in order that a valid claim may be made that a processor or program conforms to the language standard.
If the language standard does not fully define a feature of the language, the effect of attempting to use such a language feature may be unpredictable. Therefore, ISO/IEC TR 10034 recommends that, wherever possible, the standard should identify these areas and require an implementer to document the action to be taken by a processor.
ISO/IEC TR 10034:1990