proto-proposal: clarify Mother, May I?
AI: 2
{{{
Amend rule 2152 to read
The following terms are defined for the discussion of the status
of events. These terms are spelled in all capitals. Where
these words are used in lowercase these definitions do not
necessarily apply, but SHOULD be used as a guide to
interpretation.
Terms concerning the possibility of an event, or capacity of an
entity to perform an action:
* POSSIBLE, EFFECTIVE, VALID: the event is capable of occurring;
attempts to perform the action are successful.
* IMPOSSIBLE, INEFFECTIVE, INVALID: the event is not POSSIBLE;
attempts to perform the action are unsuccessful.
* <x> CAN <y>: it is POSSIBLE for <x> to <y>.
* <x> CANNOT <y>: it is IMPOSSIBLE for <x> to <y>.
Terms concerning obligations of an entity regarding performing
an action:
* MANDATORY, REQUIRED: there is an obligation to perform the
action.
* OPTIONAL: it is not MANDATORY to perform the action.
* PROHIBITED, ILLEGAL: it is MANDATORY to not perform the
action.
* PERMITTED, LEGAL: it is not MANDATORY to not perform the
action.
* <x> MUST <y>, <x> SHALL <y>: it is MANDATORY for <x> to <y>.
* <x> MUST NOT <y>, <x> SHALL NOT <y>, <x> MAY NOT <y>: it is
PROHIBITED for <x> to <y>.
* <x> MAY <y>: it is PERMITTED for <x> to <y>.
Terms concerning the wisdom of performing an action:
* RECOMMENDED, ENCOURAGED: it is specifically usually wise to
perform the action.
* UNRECOMMENDED, UNENCOURAGED: it is not RECOMMENDED to perform
the action.
* DEPRECATED, DISCOURAGED: it is RECOMMENDED to not perform the
action.
* UNDEPRECATED, UNDISCOURAGED: it is not RECOMMENDED to not
perform the action.
* <x> SHOULD <y>: it is RECOMMENDED for <x> to <y>.
* <x> SHOULD NOT <y>: it is DEPRECATED for <x> to <y>.
Possibility, requirement, and encouragement of an action are
neither inherently related to each other, nor inherently related
to the possibility, requirement, and encouragement
(respectively) of the contrary action. The terminology defined
in this rule is used to govern each of these independently:
anything said about one, using these terms, carries no
implication regarding any of the others.
For the purposes of the terminology defined by this rule,
refraining from performing an action is itself an action, and
the non-occurrence of an event is itself an event.
[Explicitly distinguishes terminology concerning the three different
aspects of an action, and makes clear that these are governed
separately. All terms are now defined in antonymous pairs.]
}}}
-zefram
