# 2 Introduction

## 2.1 Specification Organization

Beyond the abstract and this introduction, educators and non-technical readers are typically interested in the pK-12 data objects that can be shared and reported on by SIF-enabled applications in SIF implementations. These are presented in the Data Model section in a format that should not be a barrier to readers with a background that includes a brief introduction to [XML], though they may benefit from the introductory sections of Architecture. Technical readers, including software architects, developers and integrators, should have a solid background in Architecture, Messaging, Infrastructure and Data Model.

- The Preamble provides an abstract of SIF along with the SIFA disclaimer and details regarding certification and compliance claims.
- This Introduction outlines the organization of the specification, provides conventions used in this document, and summarizes versioning of the specification. Highlights of additions/changes since the previous version of the specification are also provided.
- Architecture describes the assumptions, concepts, models, and requirements related to the SIF infrastructure and data model.
- Messaging details the actions Agents and Zone Integration Servers take when sending and receiving messages.
- Infrastructure provides definitions of the XML structure of elements, messages and objects related to SIF infrastructure as opposed to data in the pK-12 environment.
- The Data Model section provides definitions of the XML structure for common elements in the data model and all objects related to entities in the pK-12 environment. This section is organized by the working groups and task forces within SIFA that have defined common elements or objects.
- The document concludes with various appendices including lists of code set values defined within SIF and in external documents, and ends with a list of references to other documents.

## 2.2 Document Conventions

### 2.2.1 Definitions

The first time a term or concept is defined, it may be emphasized.

### 2.2.2 Structure and Values

`SIF message and object names, XML element tags, attribute names and values, and other codes or values are typically presented as in this sentence.`

### 2.2.3 Examples

Longer examples of XML or HTTP messages are typically numbered and presented as given here.
Example 2.2.3-1: Examples Convention

### 2.2.4 References

References to other works occuring in this text are given in brackets, e.g. [REFERENCE]. The text in brackets corresponds to a key in the References appendix. Often when the text in the brackets duplicates surrounding text, the reference alone is used (e.g. [XML] instead of XML [XML]).

### 2.2.5 Terminology

The key words MUST, MUST NOT, REQUIRED, SHALL, SHALL NOT, SHOULD, SHOULD NOT, RECOMMENDED, MAY, OPTIONAL, when EMPHASIZED, are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119].

### 2.2.6 XML Diagrams

Quick overviews of XML structures, including messages, objects, common elements and types, are provided in XML diagrams. The following diagram illustrates the conventions typically encountered in SIF.

Figure 2.2.6-1: XML Diagram Conventions

XML elements are represented by rectangles with the name of the element in the upper portion and the type, if any, in the lower portion. Attributes are represented in the same fashion, but have an `@` icon rather than a SIF icon. Elements and attributes that are optional have a circled `?` (0 or 1 occurrence) to the left of the rectangle. Optional and mandatory repeatable elements are indicated by a circled `*` (0 or more occurrences) and `+` (1 or more occurrences), respectively. Element attributes are grouped together in a rectangular block and connected to the element with a line that turns at right angles. Ordered sequences of XML elements are bracketed by lines that turn at right angles. When a choice of XML elements is indicated, the elements are bracketed by angled lines. A choice of elements can occur within an element, or may be an unnamed choice of elements.

XML types are represented using the same conventions as for XML elements, though the type portion of the rectangle typically indicates a base type, if any.

The type name of any element, attribute or type may be prefixed with a `↓`, indicating the type is restricted in some fashion by one or more XML Schema facets (e.g. enumeration). When the type is a union of types, a list of types is presented, each type separated by `|`; if the list of union types is long, the list may be ellipted with `| ...`

In an actual XML diagram, element, type and attribute rectangles are usually linked to their corresponding definitions/descriptions in accompanying tables.

## 2.3 Version Numbers

The SIF Implementation Specification uses the following version numbering scheme:

major version `.` minor version `r` revision number

This version of the specification is a major release, and the first release of a major version has a minor version of `0` (`2.0`); major version numbers start at `1` and are incremented as major versions are released (`1.0`, `2.0`, `3.0`, ...). Major versions typically introduce additions/changes to the SIF infrastructure and/or data model changes that impact a significant percentage of SIF-enabled applications (e.g. making previously optional elements mandatory, removal of deprecated objects, elements or values).

Minor releases typically introduce new data objects, or optional additions to data objects, to the marketplace, and may include minor infrastructure additions/changes that do not impact existing SIF-enabled applications and that ZIS vendors have agreed to implement. The first minor version released subsequent to and within a major release has a minor version of `1` and is incremented as new minor versions are released (`2.1`, `2.2`, ...). If a significant number of minor release features is introduced in a specification, SIFA may decide to increment the minor version number by more than `1` (e.g. `1.1` to `1.5`), though a number like `1.5` is not an indication of being halfway to a major release, as minor version numbers may be incremented significantly past `10` (`2.10`, `2.11`, ...) as data objects and other minor version features are released.

Corrections resulting from identified errata, as well as textual changes, may be incorporated into a revision release. These typically include minor corrections to messages or data objects, corrections of typographical errors, or corrected/expanded documentation. If major errors in any release are identified, a revision release may incorporate changes more typical of a major or minor release. First major and minor releases have a revision number of `0`, which is omitted from the version number (`2.0`, not `2.0r0`); subsequent revision numbers start at `1` and are incremented as new revisions are released (`2.0r1`, `2.0r2`, ...).

## 2.4 Highlighted Additions/Changes Since Version 1.5r1

### 2.4.1 Specification

- Revised presentation, structure and text to benefit readers

### 2.4.2 Architecture

- New documentation on relationship to other technologies used in SIF, including Unicode, XML Schema and XML Namespaces
- Expanded documentation of messaging and message handling choreographies
- Introduction of SIF Contexts

### 2.4.3 Infrastructure

- New XML namespace for major SIF release
- Dropped support for DTDs as a validation tool in favor of XML Schema
- Leveraging XML Schema for more precise definition and validation
- Minor additions to `SIF_Register`
- Introduction of `SIF_Provision` message for expanded description of Agent behaviors and to introduce atomic replacement of objects and agent is providing/subscribed to
- Additions to `SIF_ZoneStatus` resulting from `SIF_Register` changes and `SIF_Provision` introduction
- Events on `SIF_ZoneStatus`
- New `SIF_ExtendedQuery` to support joins in `SIF_Request` and `ReportManifest`
- Additional `SIF_Response` validation and tracking support in the ZIS
- New `SIF_AgentACL` object to communicate to an agent what its access control rights are in the Zone
- New `SIF_SystemControl` messages, `SIF_GetZoneStatus` and `SIF_GetAgentACL`, to synchronously retrieve `SIF_ZoneStatus` and `SIF_AgentACL`, respectively
- Changes to support SIF Contexts

### 2.4.4 Data Model

- Removal of deprecated elements and code sets
- Use of code sets from NCES Handbooks where possible
- More consistent object design in new objects and objects changed since 1.5r1, including changes to more accurately reflect repeatable element changes
- XML Schema data types for elements and attributes
- XML Schema `xsi:nil` attribute for identifying nil/null, empty/unavailable values for typed elements/attributes
- The Assessment Working Group assumed responsibility from the Instructional Services Task Force for and redesigned SIF's set of assessment-related objects
- Introduction of the `SIF_Metadata` common element for attaching time- and learning resource-related metadata to SIF objects
- Introduction of a set of objects for facilitating student record exchange from the Student Record Exchange Task Force
- An added set of objects from the Food Services Working Group to track more food service system transactions and to report various aggregate counts and statistics
- A new set of data objects from the Grade Book Working Group to facilitate grading, grade book integration and student period attendance in SIF
- The Human Resources & Financials Working Group has replaced the `EmployeeHR` object with the new `EmploymentRecord` object, assumed responsibility for a number of more-financial related objects from the Food Services Working Group, and handed a number of objects over to the Student Information Systems and Professional Development Working Groups
- The Library Automation Working Group has expanded the descriptive capabilities of `LibraryPatronStatus`
- New calendar objects have been introduced by the Student Information Systems Working Group
- The Student Information Systems Working Group has also introduced the `DisciplineIncident` and `StudentAttendanceSummary` objects
- Existing Student Information Systems Working Group objects have undergone a number of expansions including new data elements, changes to code sets and new definitions or redefinitions of commonly used elements
- The Special Programs Working Group has added the `TestAccommodation` object and greatly expanded the `StudentPlacement` and `StudentParticipation` objects
- The Vertical Reporting Working Group has expanded its definition of `SIF_ReportManifest` to include support for `SIF_ExtendedQuery`
- Updates to `StudentLocator` to more accurately identify students in general and for student record exchange, and expanded attribute values and documentation to better support `StudentLocator` transactions and errors
- The Web Services Task Force has introduced a Web Service interface to SIF's reporting infrastructure in its own specification
- Updates to the `Authentication` object