Question 11/VIII - Conversion (continuation of Question 38/VII studied
in 1985-88)

Considering

(a) that Message Handling Systems provide conversion between messages of
different types having a large variety of formats;

(b) that a number of Administrations* are planning to provide Message
Handling System Services in accordance with the F.400 and X.400-Series
of Recommendations;

(c) that the users are to be informed what is the final form of
representation of their information if it gets converted;

(d) that a number of possible new applications for Message Handling
System Services is being considered;

(e) that various Telematic Services will be made available and thus the
terminal related aspects of conversion need to be taken into account;

(f) that Document architecture enables users to create a message which
has a logical structure;

(g) that CCITT and ISO have drawn up a suitable set of conversion rules;

(h) that there is a need for the compilation of conversion rules in one
(series of) Recommendation(s),

1. What principles are to be followed?

2. What enhancements to Recommendation X.408 for existing and future
applications are needed?

3. What technical conditions should be recommended for realizing the
conversion rules?

Note - This Question is to be studied in close cooperation with Study
Group VII.