[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 98 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12553]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 940540-4140]

 

Establishment of the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) Interpreter 
Test Service, Which Tests an Interpreter's Conformance to Version 1 CGM 
as Specified in FIPS 128-1, Computer Graphics Metafile, and the 
Continuous Acquisition and Life-Cycle Support (CALS) Application 
Profile (AP) (MIL-D-28003A)

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of a CGM Interpreter Test Service for 
testing an interpreter's conformance to FIPS 128-1 and the CALS CGM AP.

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SUMMARY: The NIST CGM Interpreter Test Service utilizes the Interpreter 
Validation Test (IVaT) Suite, Release 1.0 to assess whether an 
interpreter can correctly and completely parse a binary encoded, 
Version 1 CGM and produce the intended picture. The IVaT Suite consists 
of over 200 CGM files, an operator test script, and a set of reference 
pictures. Specifically, CGMs are processed by the interpreter and the 
resulting picture is compared to the expected reference picture. The 
focus of the IVaT Suite is on single element testing, rather than 
multiple elements. This allows for incremental testing and the 
specificity needed to determine whether the interpreter under test 
meets the test criteria.

DATES: The interpreter test service was established April 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the CGM Interpreter Test Service 
and the IVaT Suite should be sent to: National Institute of Standards 
and Technology; ATTN: CGM Test Service, Technology Building, room A266, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Lynne Rosenthal, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899, (301) 975-3353, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) 
128-1, Computer Graphics Metafile, adopts the American National 
Standards Institute/International Organization for Standardization 
(ANSI/ISO) Computer Graphics Metafile, ANSI/ISO 8632.1-4:1992, which 
defines three versions of the Computer Graphics Metafile. FIPS 128-1 
adopts all three versions.
    Additionally, the FIPS 128-1 requires the use of application 
profiles. In particular, the FIPS 128-1 requires the use of military 
specification MIL-D-28003A, commonly known as the CALS CGM AP, approved 
in 1991 for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of 
Defense. In accordance with FIPS 128-1, the development, storage, and 
interchange of 2D graphical information should be in the digital format 
of the CGM. As a data interchange standard, CGM is suitable for the 
storage and exchange of graphical data (i.e., pictures) among different 
computers, graphical devices, and applications.
    In addition to the CGM Interpreter Test Service, the NIST also 
operates a testing service for both CGM metafiles and generators. The 
validation processes for metafiles, generators, and interpreters are 
three distinct processes. For metafiles, the validation focuses on 
testing an instance of a CGM; that is, a CGM data stream. For 
generators, the validation focuses on testing the CGM generator and its 
operating environment. All three testing services test for compliance 
to Version 1 CGM as specified by FIPS 128-1.
    Federal agencies may require conformance to FIPS 128-1 if computer 
graphics metafile systems are developed internally, acquired as part of 
an ADP system procurement, acquired by separate procurement, used under 
an ADP leasing arrangement, or specified for use in contracts for 
programming services. Agencies may require testing to determine if a 
CGM metafile, generator, or interpreter conforms to FIPS 128-1. A 
Certificate of Validation or Registered Report provided from the NIST 
validation test service will be a source for Federal agencies to use in 
making this determination. The Certificate and Registered Report will 
be listed in the ``Validated Products List'', which is issued quarterly 
by NIST and is available from the National Technical Information 
Service (NTIS), order number PB94-937301, telephone (703) 487-4650.

Obtaining Validation Services

    The NIST provides validation test services on a cost-reimbursable 
basis. These services are available to both the producers and users of 
CGM files, generators, and interpreters. Upon request, NIST will supply 
the client with a CGM Information Pack which will include a description 
of the test services and procedures.

    Dated: May 17, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 94-12553 Filed 5-20-94; 8:45 am]
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