4 General description

This text is informative.

This specification is intended to be used by implementers, academics, and application programmers. As such, it contains a considerable amount of explanatory material that, strictly speaking, is not necessary in a formal language specification.

This specification is divided into the following subdivisions: front matter; language syntax, constraints, and semantics; and annexes.

Examples are provided to illustrate possible forms of the constructions described. References are used to refer to related clauses. Notes are provided to give advice or guidance to implementers or programmers. Annexes provide additional information and summarize the information contained in this specification.

End of informative text.

Informative text is indicated in the following ways:

1. Whole or partial clauses or annexes delimited by “This clause/text is informative” and “End of informative text”.
2. Example: The following example … code fragment, possibly with some narrative … end example The Example: and end example markers are in the same paragraph for single paragraph examples. If an example spans multiple paragraphs, the end example marker should be its own paragraph.
3. Note: narrative … end note The Note: and end note markers are in the same paragraph for single paragraph notes. If a note spans multiple paragraphs, the end note marker should be its own paragraph.

All text not marked as being informative is normative.