Document Conventions

The conventions used in this document are as follows:

• Editorial Comment

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  All text enclosed in double backslashes, for example, this  paragraph, is editorial comment. This is not a formal part of the standard, and will not necessarily be in future revisions of this document.  
  \\ 
  

• Constants

  Constants are presented symbolically with their value given at the point of definition in this standard. Concrete language bindings for each constant are provided in system definition files external to this standard.

  Note   The symbols used in this document do NOT follow any particular naming conventions nor do they adhere to POSIX or other conventions.

• Functional Interfaces

  Functional interface syntax is presented in abstract form. Concrete language bindings for each functional interface are provided in system definition files external to this standard.

• Algorithms

  Algorithms are presented precisely as a series of steps.

• Conventions

  All conventions that are important to correct program execution are presented in a form appropriate to each convention.

• Methods

  Actual or recommended methods are presented informally, using examples, suggestions, or other appropriate form.

• Numbering

  All numbers are represented as decimal values unless otherwise indicated. Non-decimal numbers are typically represented with the name of the base in parentheses following the number; for example, 1B(Hex).

• Memory and Register Contents Representation

  Figures that represent memory or register layouts follow the convention that increasing addresses run from top to bottom and from right to left on a page. Most significant bits are on the left and least significant bits are on the right.

• Code Examples

  All code examples in this document are supplied strictly for purposes of explanation. They are presented in a form that expresses the relevant concept with clarity. They do not reflect optimized and properly scheduled code sequences that a compiler would generate.

• Assembler Syntax

  Assembler syntax follows the Alpha System Reference Manual (including Appendix A, section A.4.3 on Stylized Code Forms) and does not represent actual Alpha Assembler notation.

• Data Structures

  Data structures are defined in terms of the physical memory format of each structure. Concrete language bindings for each data structure are provided in system definition files external to this standard.

• Data Structure Fields

  Record fields are referred to by using the name of the record or subrecord followed by a dot, followed by the field name: for example, RECORD_NAME.SUB_RECORD.FIELD.