===== OMG: Interface Definition Language (IDL) =====
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:omg:start| return to the OMG Standards ]]

<table>
<caption>Data sheet for Interface Definition Language (IDL )</caption>
| Title                      | Interface Definition Language  |
| Acronym                    | IDL |
| Version                    | 4.2 |
| OMG Document Number        | formal/18-01-05 |
| Release Date               | March 2018  |
| About Specification        | [[https://www.omg.org/spec/IDL/]] |
| Document                   | [[https://www.omg.org/spec/IDL/4.2/PDF]]|
</table>

  : **Note**: The following is an excerpt from the actual document. It is provided here as a convenience and is not authoritative. Refer to the original document as the authoritative reference.
  
==== Scope ====
  : //This document specifies the OMG Interface Definition Language (IDL). IDL is a descriptive language used to define data types and [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:interface|interfaces]] in a way that is independent of the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:programlang|programming language]] or [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:o:os|operating system]]/[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:processor|processor]] [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:platform|platform]].//

  ://The IDL specifies only the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:syntax|syntax]] used to define the data types and interfaces. It is normally used in connection with other specifications that further define how these types/interfaces are utilized in specific contexts and platforms://
    * //Separate “language mapping” specifications define how the IDL-defined constructs map to specific
programming languages, such as, C/C++, Java, C#, etc.//
    * //Separate “serialization” specifications define how data objects and method invocations are serialized into a
format suitable for network transmission.//
    * //Separate “[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:m:midware|middleware]]” specifications, such as, DDS or [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:corba|CORBA]] leverage the IDL to define data-types, services, and interfaces. The description of IDL grammar uses a syntax notation that is similar to Extended Backus-Naur Format (EBNF).//

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