The Language ITU-T Amardeo Sarma Co-Chairman, ITU-T Study Group 17

ITU-T Study Group 17 Contents Languages at SG17 Languages at SG17 ITU-T Languages ITU-T Languages SDL SDL ASN.1 ASN.1 MSC MSC TTCN TTCN Helping you make better standards faster Helping you make better standards faster

Languages at SG17

ITU-T Study Group 17 Core Competencies at ITU-T Carrier class standards and specifications Carrier class standards and specifications Quality of standards play a key role Quality of standards play a key role Experts and drivers in Telecommunications Experts and drivers in Telecommunications Strong organisational and logistic support by the TSB Strong organisational and logistic support by the TSB Fast standards track Fast standards track We need to make even better standards faster We need to make even better standards faster

ITU-T Study Group 17 Mandate of ITU-T Study Group 17 Responsible for technical languages, the methods for their usage and other issues related to the software aspects of telecommunication systems. Responsible for technical languages, the methods for their usage and other issues related to the software aspects of telecommunication systems. Studies on modelling, specification and description techniques and on other software aspects in line with the requirements of and in co-operation with the relevant other Study Groups (4,11,13,16). Studies on modelling, specification and description techniques and on other software aspects in line with the requirements of and in co-operation with the relevant other Study Groups (4,11,13,16). SG17 is Lead Study Group on Languages and Description Techniques within ITU-T SG17 is Lead Study Group on Languages and Description Techniques within ITU-T SG 17 Policy: Strong coupling with industrial needs and use SG 17 Policy: Strong coupling with industrial needs and use

ITU-T Study Group 17 The ITU-T language family SDL - Specification and Description Language SDL - Specification and Description Language MSC - Message Sequence Chart MSC - Message Sequence Chart ODL - Object Definition Language (adopted from TINA) ODL - Object Definition Language (adopted from TINA) ASN.1 - Abstract Syntax Notation One ASN.1 - Abstract Syntax Notation One TTCN Tree and Tabular Combined Notation TTCN Tree and Tabular Combined Notation CHILL - CCITT HIgh-Level Language CHILL - CCITT HIgh-Level Language

ITU-T Study Group 17 The ITU-T language family (new) DCL - Distribution and Configuration Language DCL - Distribution and Configuration Language URN - User Requirements Notation URN - User Requirements Notation Incorporating Time and Performance into the languages Incorporating Time and Performance into the languages

ITU-T Study Group 17 What makes the family different? Real-time, distributed communicating systems Real-time, distributed communicating systems Formal, allowing verification and validation Formal, allowing verification and validation Many languages with a graphical syntax Many languages with a graphical syntax Commercial tool support Commercial tool support Tool availability required for approval Tool availability required for approval Tools vendors directly involved in work Tools vendors directly involved in work Catering for users both in Industry and in Standards bodies (SDOs), e.g. ITU-T SG 11 Catering for users both in Industry and in Standards bodies (SDOs), e.g. ITU-T SG 11

ITU-T Study Group 17 Language Usage Initially, languages were mainly aimed at standards and Recommendations Initially, languages were mainly aimed at standards and Recommendations For the core languages, industrial use has today far outgrown use in standards! For the core languages, industrial use has today far outgrown use in standards! The use at SDOs is below the potential to: The use at SDOs is below the potential to: Improve quality of standards Improve quality of standards Reduce time Reduce time But: Use requires some investment But: Use requires some investment Fora support ASN.1, SDL, MSC and TTCN Fora support ASN.1, SDL, MSC and TTCN

ITU-T Study Group 17 Our Strategy at ITU-T SG 17 Keep the edge by concentrating on the differentiating factors and focusing on our strengths

ITU-T Languages

ITU-T Study Group 17 SDL Created for Telecommunications Created for Telecommunications Centred around the specification of behaviour, good for use in protocols Centred around the specification of behaviour, good for use in protocols Allows specification of structure and data Allows specification of structure and data Good tool support, including integration with other techniques Good tool support, including integration with other techniques Widely used in standards and even more in industry Widely used in standards and even more in industry Moving to other real-time application areas Moving to other real-time application areas

ITU-T Study Group 17 SDL hot issues Upgrade of methodology UML-MSC-ASN.1-SDL-TTCN Upgrade of methodology UML-MSC-ASN.1-SDL-TTCN CIF for SDL-2000 CIF for SDL-2000 MSC data mapping to SDL MSC data mapping to SDL Time and performance features Time and performance features SDL as a UML profile (OMG?) SDL as a UML profile (OMG?) SDL components for sale SDL components for sale Gnu/Visual SDL?? Gnu/Visual SDL??

ITU-T Study Group 17 ASN.1 International standard : ITU-T X.680 to X.683 | ISO/IEC to 4 with a sizeable base of tools that support ASN.1 International standard : ITU-T X.680 to X.683 | ISO/IEC to 4 with a sizeable base of tools that support ASN.1 Describes data exchange between two communicating applications Describes data exchange between two communicating applications Several associated standardized encodings, such as: Several associated standardized encodings, such as: efficient (binary) encoding: Packed Encoding Rules (PER) efficient (binary) encoding: Packed Encoding Rules (PER) canonical encoding for digital signatures: Distinguished Encoding Rules (DER) canonical encoding for digital signatures: Distinguished Encoding Rules (DER) XML (textual) encoding rules (XER) with tool support XML (textual) encoding rules (XER) with tool support Mature, long record of reliability and interoperability Mature, long record of reliability and interoperability ASN.1 is a critical part of our daily lives; it's everywhere, but it works so well it's invisible! ASN.1 is a critical part of our daily lives; it's everywhere, but it works so well it's invisible!

ITU-T Study Group 17 ASN.1 and the telecom industry Intelligent network Intelligent network GSM GSM UMTS (3G cellphones) UMTS (3G cellphones) Voice over IP Voice over IP Interactive television Interactive television Videoconference Videoconference SET, C-SET (secured electronic transaction: e-commerce, m-commerce) SET, C-SET (secured electronic transaction: e-commerce, m-commerce) Computer-supported telecommunications applications Computer-supported telecommunications applications......

ITU-T Study Group 17 ASN.1 in other domains Intelligent transportation Intelligent transportation Radio-frequency identification (RFID) Radio-frequency identification (RFID) ATN (Aeronautical Telecommunication Network) ATN (Aeronautical Telecommunication Network) Embedded systems Embedded systems Financial operations (ASC X.9, ISO TC 68) Financial operations (ASC X.9, ISO TC 68) Control of manufacturing systems Control of manufacturing systems And a lot of other application domains: see And a lot of other application domains: see Fully integrated in the formal languages SDL and TTCN Fully integrated in the formal languages SDL and TTCN

ITU-T Study Group 17 MSC Z.120 Current Version:MSC 2000 Previous Version:MSC 96 Next Version:MSC 2004 Standard consists of: graphical grammar ASCII grammar static & dynamic semantics formal semantics, Annex B examples

ITU-T Study Group 17 MSC MSC-2000 is a rich language with rigorously defined semantics, unlike UML sequence charts MSC-2000 is a rich language with rigorously defined semantics, unlike UML sequence charts One of the advantages over competitors One of the advantages over competitors MSC is widely, but informally, used often independently of other notations. MSC is widely, but informally, used often independently of other notations. At IETF, MSC is clearly a candidate to formalise signal flows At IETF, MSC is clearly a candidate to formalise signal flows There is scope for increased tool/language penetration. There is scope for increased tool/language penetration. Users are often unaware of Z.120 as a standard for sequence diagrams and that MSC has good tool support. Users are often unaware of Z.120 as a standard for sequence diagrams and that MSC has good tool support.

ITU-T Study Group 17 MSC Future Features Message Channels Message Channels Presentation Formats Presentation Formats TTCN Graphical presentation format, Z.142 TTCN Graphical presentation format, Z.142 semantic restrictions, e.g. tracing semantic restrictions, e.g. tracing Instantiations of Universal Data Interface Instantiations of Universal Data Interface SDL interface scheduled 2002, Z.121 SDL interface scheduled 2002, Z.121 ASN.1 interface? ASN.1 interface? TTCN-3 interface? TTCN-3 interface? UML alignment UML alignment OMG UML v2.0 sequence diagrams OMG UML v2.0 sequence diagrams

ITU-T Study Group 17 TTCN-3 Testing and Test Control Notation TTCN-3 is used to write detailed test specifications Testing and Test Control Notation TTCN-3 is used to write detailed test specifications Applicable to telecom and datacom testing Applicable to telecom and datacom testing Application Areas Application Areas protocols protocols services services APIs APIs software modules etc. software modules etc.

ITU-T Study Group 17 A general purpose testing language Conformance Testing Conformance Testing Interoperability testing Interoperability testing Robustness testing Robustness testing Performance testing Performance testing regression testing regression testing System testing System testing Integration testing, etc. Integration testing, etc.

ITU-T Study Group 17 TTCN-3: different presentation formats Core format is a text based language Core format is a text based language Core can be viewed as text or in various presentation formats Core can be viewed as text or in various presentation formats text Tabular format for conformance testing Tabular format for conformance testing Tabular format Tabular format Message Sequence Chart (MSC)format Message Sequence Chart (MSC)format Message Sequence Chart (MSC)format Message Sequence Chart (MSC)format Other standardized formats in the future Other standardized formats in the future Proprietary formats Proprietary formats Presentation Format 3 Presentation Format n TTCN-3 Core Language Text format MSC Format Tabular Format

ITU-T Study Group 17 What about UML? SDL and MSC experts key for UML 2.0 SDL and MSC experts key for UML 2.0 Tools for joint support available Tools for joint support available UML without SDL is like a car without an engine UML without SDL is like a car without an engine Co-operation with OMG in progress Co-operation with OMG in progress If you really want UML, you can use it without losing the benefits of SDL/MSC If you really want UML, you can use it without losing the benefits of SDL/MSC

ITU-T Study Group 17 What about XML? ASN.1 + XCN (XML Control Notation) ASN.1 + XCN (XML Control Notation) as powerful and expressive as XSD (XML Schema Definition) as powerful and expressive as XSD (XML Schema Definition) less verbose and much more readable. less verbose and much more readable. ASN.1 is a mature schema notation for XML. No schema mapping is needed ASN.1 is a mature schema notation for XML. No schema mapping is needed ASN.1/XER: efficient binary encodings with XML (+ XSL) display (or transfer if needed) ASN.1/XER: efficient binary encodings with XML (+ XSL) display (or transfer if needed) CXER èASN.1/XER as a canonical variant of XER for secured transactions CXER èASN.1/XER as a canonical variant of XER for secured transactions XER tools : XER tools :

ITU-T Study Group 17 SDL and ASN.1 support secure, hi-quality standards UML and XML are easy and popular You use the best of two worlds

ITU-T Study Group 17 The next years After UML 2.0, work together towards After UML 2.0, work together towards Powerful, new versions of SDL and MSC Powerful, new versions of SDL and MSC Strong bridges to ASN.1 and TTCN in addition to UML Strong bridges to ASN.1 and TTCN in addition to UML Consolidate and strengthen the use of languages in Telecommunications Consolidate and strengthen the use of languages in Telecommunications Expand further into new domains Expand further into new domains Focus on penetrating the IETF in the coming years Focus on penetrating the IETF in the coming years Support standardisation and education with tools Support standardisation and education with tools

Helping you make better standards faster

ITU-T Study Group 17 What ITU-Languages do for you Provide a method supported by commercial and free tools Provide a method supported by commercial and free tools Allow checking of syntactical and logical (semantic) correctness on the fly Allow checking of syntactical and logical (semantic) correctness on the fly Helps you check if the behaviour is what you intended Helps you check if the behaviour is what you intended Improves the quality of the standard Improves the quality of the standard Interoperability is greatly improved Interoperability is greatly improved Once used properly, helps save time! Once used properly, helps save time!

ITU-T Study Group 17 Obstacles to Language Use Benefit unclear Benefit unclear Check track record Check track record Formality reduces freedom Formality reduces freedom Freedom only reduced for issues needed for interoperation, use correct dose of formality Freedom only reduced for issues needed for interoperation, use correct dose of formality Quick and dirty is better Quick and dirty is better This is not ITU-Ts differentiator or unique selling point This is not ITU-Ts differentiator or unique selling point

ITU-T Study Group 17 Obstacles to Language Use No expertise in group No expertise in group Specialists should concentrate on their domain – get support for languages Specialists should concentrate on their domain – get support for languages No time No time Check whether overall time is lost or gained Check whether overall time is lost or gained Missing support Missing support TSB should provide this! TSB should provide this! Or ask SG17 – we could e.g. provide tutorials in SDL, ASN.1 etc. Or ask SG17 – we could e.g. provide tutorials in SDL, ASN.1 etc.

ITU-T Study Group 17 Tool usage at ITU-T SDT is currently the standard tool at ITU and ETSI SDT is currently the standard tool at ITU and ETSI Recommendation authors send SDT files, which are checked by TSB staff Recommendation authors send SDT files, which are checked by TSB staff Formal descriptions are considered non-coprighted Formal descriptions are considered non-coprighted Common Interchange Format CIF is very important (e.g. for those using Cinderella)! Common Interchange Format CIF is very important (e.g. for those using Cinderella)! Availability of cheap or free lightweight tool for standards greatly helps promote SDL/MSC Availability of cheap or free lightweight tool for standards greatly helps promote SDL/MSC The ITU-T CD-ROM, also available for you all, has been a step in this direction! The ITU-T CD-ROM, also available for you all, has been a step in this direction!

ITU-T Study Group 17 Professional support is needed! To further improve standards quality, SG17 reinforced the recommendation that TSB provide To further improve standards quality, SG17 reinforced the recommendation that TSB provide expertise on a regular basis in the ITU-T languages and methodologies concerning the use of the languages expertise on a regular basis in the ITU-T languages and methodologies concerning the use of the languages tools, supporting and facilitating the use of ITU- T languages tools, supporting and facilitating the use of ITU- T languages We really need permanent experts at ITU-T: We really need permanent experts at ITU-T: ETSI success story ETSI success story Demand must come from users Demand must come from users

ITU-T languages can help ITU-T Recommendations maintain or regain competitive advantage

ITU-T Study Group 17 Support from Fora and Consortia ASN.1 Consortium: ASN.1 Consortium: SDL Forum Society: http// forum.org SDL Forum Society: http// forum.org Indian SDL and TTCN Forum: Indian SDL and TTCN Forum:

ITU-T Study Group 17 ASN.1 Consortium Group of ASN.1 users (people and companies), specifiers and tool-vendors Group of ASN.1 users (people and companies), specifiers and tool-vendors Share resources and information Share resources and information Promote ASN.1 (towards newspaper and journals, companies, universities…) Promote ASN.1 (towards newspaper and journals, companies, universities…) No standardization work No standardization work Three forums: Three forums: Industry forum Industry forum Standardization forum Standardization forum Academic forum Academic forum Website: Website:

ITU-T Study Group 17 ASN.1 – short summary Robust and stable technology that has withstood the test of time, and which continues to improve over time. Robust and stable technology that has withstood the test of time, and which continues to improve over time. Now supports XML in ITU-T X.693 (XML Encoding Rules) Now supports XML in ITU-T X.693 (XML Encoding Rules) An easier schema for XML than W3C XML Schema (XSD) An easier schema for XML than W3C XML Schema (XSD) Makes it possible to use XML where it currently is impossible due to XML's verbose size Makes it possible to use XML where it currently is impossible due to XML's verbose size ITU-T X.694 now makes it possible to convert XSD to ASN.1 ITU-T X.694 now makes it possible to convert XSD to ASN.1 A sizeable base of tools that support ASN.1, including PER and XML, now exists A sizeable base of tools that support ASN.1, including PER and XML, now exists The rapid degree of ASN.1:2002 features implemented by tool vendors is a testament to the strength of the ASN.1 industry. The rapid degree of ASN.1:2002 features implemented by tool vendors is a testament to the strength of the ASN.1 industry.

ITU-T Study Group 17 TTCN-3 and Other Languages TTCN can be integrated with other 'type and value' systems TTCN can be integrated with other 'type and value' systems Fully harmonized with ASN.1 (1997) Fully harmonized with ASN.1 (1997)ASN.1 Harmonization possible with other type and value systems (possibly from proprietary languages) Harmonization possible with other type and value systems (possibly from proprietary languages) TTCN-3 Core Language Other types & Values 2 Other types & Values n ASN.1 Types & Values

ITU-T Study Group 17 Major Elements of TTCN-3 Built-in and user-defined generic data types (e.g., to define messages, service primitives, information elements, PDUs) Built-in and user-defined generic data types (e.g., to define messages, service primitives, information elements, PDUs) data types data types Actual test data transmitted/received during testing Actual test data transmitted/received during testingtest datatest data Definition of the components and communication ports that are used to build various testing configurations Definition of the components and communication ports that are used to build various testing configurationscomponents communication portsconfigurationscomponents communication portsconfigurations Specification of the dynamic test system behaviour Specification of the dynamic test system behaviourdynamic test system behaviourdynamic test system behaviour Test Behaviour Test System Architecture TTCN-3 Core Test Data Data Types