1. Identification of Proposed Project 1.1 Title: Flat File Command Set 1.2 Proposer This project is proposed by the X3T9 Technical Committee. For additional information, please contact John B. Lohmeyer, X3T9.2 Chairman, at NCR Corporation, 3718 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS 67226 (Phone: 316-636-8703 FAX: 316-636-8889) or Dal Allan, X3T9.2 Vice-Chairman at ENDL, 14426 Black Walnut Ct, Saratoga, CA 95070 (Phone: 408-867-6630 Fax: 408-867-2115). 1.3 Date Submitted: August 23, 1991 1.4 Project Type: Development 2. Justification of Proposed Standard or Technical Report 2.1 Needs There is an emerging industry requirement to provide maximum assistance to the operating system in order to enhance performance and offload functionality from the host processor to devices. Capabilites such as data compression are provided by tape drives because they process data sequentially, but have not been feasible on disk where the unit of data is sectors. To enhance data capacity, data compression is a desired capability. The Flat File Command Set facilitates this capability because the file unit of information to be placed under control of the device. 2.2 Recommended Scope of Standard or Technical Report The Flat File Command Set is intended to provide a higher level of logical operations than are provided on peripheral device interface standards such as the X3.129, X3.130, X3.131, X3.132, X3.147 standards for SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) and IPI (Intelligent Peripheral Interface) as well as X3T9.2/90-143, the draft standard for ATA (AT Attachment). Functions which will be considered for incorporation include: a) Data compression on a flat file basis. b) Defragmentation of flat files. c) Flat file caching. d) Retention of multiple generations of flat files. e) File migration. f) Object-oriented addressing. g) Other capabilities which fit within the general scope of implementing the Flat File Command Set on a broader range of applications. This proposed standard will require changes in the device driver routines of present operating systems in order to take advantage of the additional capabilities of limited file management capabilities within devices. 2.3 Existing Practice in Area of Proposed Standard or Technical Report Many of the file functions provided in operating systems are incompatible between implementations, and no attempt will be made to address functions which cannot be made consistent across multiple operating system environments. The adoption of data compression technology by tape drives has resulted in a number of de facto standards, as well as standards efforts within X3B5. Some of these activities are operating system specific. There is no intention to add more data compression alternatives but to leverage pre-existing data compression standards. 2.4 Expected Stability of Proposed Standard or Technical Report with Respect to Current and Potential Technological Advance The nature of the proposed project is to insure that growth paths in device functionality are provided to host system manufacturers. 3. Description of Proposed Project 3.1 Type of Document (Standard or Technical Report): Standard 3.2 Definition of Concepts and Special Terms (if any): none 3.3 Expected Relationship with Approved X3 Reference Models (e.g., DBMS, OSI) The Flat File Command Set is for use in closed systems. 3.4 Recommended Program of Work The following program of work is planned for the Flat File Command Set standard: - Solicit participation from the SCSI, IPI, ATA, and CAM participants and solicit new participants through X3T9.2 procedures and through press releases. Invite comments by end-user organizations and invite proposals from organizations that may have a contribution to a viable Flat File Command Set standard. - Establish functional requirements for Flat File Command Set functional additions. - Prepare a draft standard based on proposals submitted and other information gathered during the initial investigation. - Consider the results of Flat File Command Set testing as may be available to the committee through the voluntary efforts of the various participants in X3T9 and its assigned task group. - Submit the draft proposed standard to X3 for further processing. 3.5 Resources - Individuals and Organizations Competent in Subject Matter The current membership of X3T9.2 includes representatives from all parts of the computer industry from semiconductor chip manufacturers to large mainframe system manufacturers as well as Government agencies. The members of X3T9.2 have expressed their desire to participate and cooperate in the development of this proposed standard. There are sufficient resources to complete the development of this standard without delaying work on other standards. 3.6 Recommended X3 Development Technical Committees (Existing or New) It is recommended that the development work be done in task group X3T9.2. 3.7 Anticipated Frequency and Duration of Meetings Task group X3T9.2 meets for two days bi-monthly. Specific task ad hoc groups are called as may be required for one to three days between the regular meetings but their results are not binding. 3.8 Target Date for dpANS to X3 (Milestone 10): April 1993 3.9 Estimated Useful Life of Standard or Technical Report It is anticipated that this standard will have a life of over 10 years. 4. Implementation Impacts 4.1 Impact on Existing User Practices and Investments The proposed Flat File Command Set standard will provide an upward growth path which complements existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution or revolution. 4.2 Impact on Supplier Products and Support The proposed Flat File Command Set standard will provide an upward growth path which complements existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution or revolution. 4.3 Techniques and Costs for Compliance Verification The committee will consider the results of Flat File Command Set testing as may be available to the committee through the voluntary efforts of the various participants in X3T9 and its assigned task group. With this method all costs are borne by the organizations of the various participants and have for the most part been mainly an adjunct of their normal development costs. 4.4 Legal Considerations No new legal considerations are expected that are not already in accordance with accepted X3 patent policies. 5. Closely Related Standards Activities 5.1 Existing Standards: none 5.2 X3 Standards Development Projects none 5.3 X3/SPARC Study Groups: none 5.4 Other Related Domestic Standards Efforts: none 5.5 ISO Standards Development Projects It is anticipated that this standard will be proposed to JTC1/SC25/WG4. 5.6 Other Related International Standards Development Projects: none 5.7 Recommendations for Coordinating Liaison: none 5.8 Recommendations for Close Liaison: none