ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 Overview
This standard, ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, defines the Open Packaging Conventions which are used by Office Open XML documents. It specifies the structure and functionality of a package using both a package model and a physical model. This is a key part of the ISO/IEC 29500 series.
Standard Designation and Title
The standard is officially designated as ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012. This designation signifies its place within the larger ISO/IEC 29500 series of standards. The full title of this particular standard is “Information technology, Document description and processing languages — Office Open XML File Formats — Part 2⁚ Open Packaging Conventions.” This title clearly indicates the standard’s focus on defining the packaging conventions utilized in Office Open XML documents. Specifically, it provides specifications for how a package, containing various parts, is structured and handled. It is a crucial part of the ISO/IEC 29500 series which deals with document description and processing languages and forms a critical component in understanding the underlying mechanics of Office Open XML files. This standard is often referenced in relation to ECMA-376, which is an identical specification. The document also has a Technical Corrigendum ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2011/Cor.1:2012.
Scope of ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012
The scope of ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 is to specify a set of conventions for structuring and managing a package of interrelated byte streams, often called “parts”. These conventions, referred to as the Open Packaging Conventions, are primarily used by Office Open XML documents to organize their content. This standard defines both a package model and a physical model, outlining how the logical structure of a package maps to its physical representation as a file or data stream. The standard is applicable to not only Office Open XML specifications as described in ISO/IEC 29500-1 and ISO/IEC 29500-4, but also to other markup languages and document formats that require a standardized approach to packaging. It dictates how multiple components are bundled into a single resource, ensuring interoperability and consistent handling across different software applications. The standard does not include the internal content of the parts themselves.
Open Packaging Conventions
The Open Packaging Conventions define how to structure a package containing multiple parts. These conventions are used by Office Open XML documents to ensure consistent handling of bundled resources, such as documents and images.
Definition of Open Packaging Conventions
The Open Packaging Conventions, as defined in ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, are a set of rules for packaging multiple data streams, referred to as ‘parts’, into a single resource, known as a ‘package’. These conventions specify how to organize and access these parts, ensuring interoperability and consistency across different applications. The purpose is to provide a standardized method for bundling related resources, such as XML documents, images, and other data, into a cohesive unit. This unified structure simplifies the handling and sharing of complex document structures. The package is designed to represent a logical entity, irrespective of its physical storage format. This definition allows diverse software to interact with these bundled resources without needing to know the specific physical layout. The conventions are not restricted only to Office Open XML formats, but can be applied in other contexts that require structured packaging of data. The standard emphasizes a clear and consistent approach to managing these packaged elements.
Package Model and Physical Model
ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 defines the structure of a package through two distinct but related models⁚ the package model and the physical model. The package model is an abstract, logical representation of the package, describing its parts and their relationships. This model defines how parts are organized within the package, including metadata and relationships between these parts. It specifies how applications should interpret the package’s contents, and does not dictate the physical storage method. On the other hand, the physical model defines how the package is actually stored on a medium, such as a file system or a data stream. This model details the physical format of the package, including how its components are encoded and arranged. A key aspect is ensuring that the physical model is compatible with the logical package model. The physical model allows for flexibility in how packages are stored, while maintaining a consistent structure as defined by the abstract package model. This separation between logical structure and physical storage is critical for interoperability.
Technical Details
This section delves into the specifics of ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, exploring its relationship with ECMA-376 Part 2, its revision history, and the important technical corrigendum that has been incorporated into the standard.
Relation to ECMA-376 Part 2
The ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 standard is closely aligned with the 4th edition of ECMA-376 Part 2, published in December 2012. The specifications of these two standards are identical, meaning that they describe the same set of conventions for the Open Packaging Conventions. This alignment ensures consistency and interoperability between different implementations of the standards. The ECMA-376 standard serves as the technical basis for the ISO/IEC 29500-2 standard, meaning they share the same technical content. This relationship simplifies implementation and provides a consistent approach to managing and packaging documents. Because of this close connection, understanding ECMA-376 Part 2 provides a strong foundation for understanding ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012. This alignment is very important for developers and users who work with Office Open XML file formats.
Revision and Updates
The ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 standard has undergone several revisions and updates since its initial publication. It is important to note that as of December 2020, a new edition of ISO/IEC 29500-2 was in preparation. This new edition aimed to maintain all the functionalities of the previous version but with extensive reorganization and alignment with ISO practices. This revision did not introduce any new functionalities; rather it focused on improving the clarity and consistency of the standard. Additionally, the ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 standard was revised by the incorporation of the Technical Corrigendum ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2011/Cor.1:2012. These revisions and updates are crucial for ensuring that the standard remains relevant and practical in the fast-evolving technology landscape. Users should refer to the latest version of the standard for the most accurate information.
Technical Corrigendum ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2011/Cor;1:2012
The Technical Corrigendum ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2011/Cor.1:2012 represents an important update to the original ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 standard. This corrigendum was incorporated into the main standard to address specific issues or ambiguities that were identified after the initial release. The technical corrigendum is essential because it clarifies specific technical aspects, ensuring proper interpretation and implementation of the standard. It is important to note that this corrigendum does not introduce any new functionalities or change the core principles of the standard. Instead, it refines and corrects existing elements to improve clarity. Therefore, when referencing the ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 standard, it is crucial to consider the inclusion of this corrigendum to understand the most current and accurate version of the specifications. This corrigendum ensures interoperability and avoids potential conflicts when implementing the standard.
Implementation and Usage
ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 is implemented in Microsoft Office, specifying how it handles Office Open XML file formats. This standard’s conventions are also applicable to other markup languages beyond Office Open XML.
Microsoft Office Implementation
Microsoft Office implements ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, specifying how the suite handles Office Open XML file formats. This includes details about how Office constructs and interprets packages according to the standard’s Open Packaging Conventions. The implementation includes specific details that may benefit other developers and implementers. Microsoft’s documentation also notes areas where the product may extend or vary from the core specifications of ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012. These details are crucial for interoperability, ensuring that files created by different applications adhering to the standard can be correctly processed. Microsoft provides information regarding how it manages package parts, relationships, and the physical packaging of the documents. This implementation provides a foundation for consistent handling of Office Open XML files, helping developers to create solutions that integrate with the Microsoft Office ecosystem. It’s important for developers to consult the official Microsoft documentation to understand these specific implementation details and variations.
Application Beyond Office Open XML
The Open Packaging Conventions defined by ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 are not exclusively limited to Office Open XML file formats. These conventions provide a general framework for packaging interrelated byte streams, making them applicable to various other markup languages and file types. The standard’s model for defining package structures, relationships, and physical packaging can be utilized in any system that needs to bundle multiple parts into a single resource. This versatility enables developers to employ the same conventions for different types of documents and data, promoting interoperability and consistency across various applications. The package model and physical model are flexible enough to be adapted for diverse use cases beyond the original scope. By using these conventions, developers can simplify the management of complex data structures and improve cross-application compatibility. The standard thus serves as a foundation for a broader range of applications beyond the Office suite.
Standard’s Context
ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 is a part of the larger ISO/IEC 29500 series, which focuses on information technology and document processing languages, specifically concerning Office Open XML file formats and their specifications.
Part of ISO/IEC 29500 Series
This standard, ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, is a crucial component within the comprehensive ISO/IEC 29500 series. This series, under the broader title of ‘Information technology – Document description and processing languages – Office Open XML File Formats’, is divided into multiple parts. Specifically, Part 2, which is ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012, focuses on the Open Packaging Conventions. The series as a whole deals with the standardization of Office Open XML file formats, ensuring interoperability and consistency across different applications and platforms. The other parts of the series address different aspects of the Office Open XML formats, like fundamentals and markup language references, markup compatibility, and extensibility, thus providing a complete set of specifications. ISO/IEC 29500-2⁚2012 is therefore a key piece within this broader standardization effort.