This standard defines an implementation-level run-time software architecture for Alpha operating systems.
The interfaces, methods, and conventions specified in this document are primarily intended for use by implementors of compilers, debuggers and other run-time tools, run-time libraries, and base operating systems. These specifications may be, but are not necessarily, appropriate for use by higher-level system software and applications.
Compilers and run-time libraries may provide additional support of these capabilities via interfaces that are more appropriate for compiler and application use. This specification neither prohibits nor requires such additional interfaces.