ITU-T Recommendations

Recommendation ITU-T Z.100 introduces the Specification and Description Language, intended for unambiguous specification and description of telecommunication systems. The scope of the Specification and Description Language is elaborated in clause 1. The ITU-T Z.100 series for SDL-2010 together form a reference manual for the language. The objective of this Recommendation is to provide an introductory overview to the language and the rest of the reference manual contained in the ITU-T Z.100 series for SDL-2010. The language introduced in this document is more fully defined in other Recommendations in the ITU-T Z.100 series for SDL-2010.
Coverage
The Specification and Description Language has concepts for behaviour, data description and (particularly for larger systems) structuring. The basis of behaviour description is extended finite state machines communicating by messages. Data description is based on data types for values and objects. The basis for structuring is hierarchical decomposition and type hierarchies. These foundations of the Specification and Description Language are elaborated in the respective main clauses of Recommendations ITU-T Z.101 to ITU-T Z.105 and ITU-T Z.107. A distinctive feature of the Specification and Description Language is the graphical representation. This Recommendation covers the conventions used to define the Specification and Description Language in the ITU-T Z.100 series, rules for conformance and guidance for maintenance of the language.
Applications
Specification and Description Language is applicable within standard bodies and industry. The main application areas for which the Specification and Description Language has been designed are stated in clause 1.2, but the Specification and Description Language is generally suitable for describing reactive systems. The range of application is from requirement description to implementation.