Best Current Practice
Encyclopedia
A best current practice (BCP) is a de facto, dynamic level of performance in engineering and information technology. It is more flexible than a standard, since techniques and tools are continually evolving.
The Internet Engineering Task Force
publishes best current practice (BCP) documents in a numbered document series. Each documents in this series is paired with a request for comments
(RFC) document. BCPs are document guidelines, processes, methods, and other matters not suitable for standardization. The Internet standards process itself is defined in a series of BCPs, as is the formal organizational structure of the IETF, Internet Engineering Steering Group
, Internet Architecture Board
, and other groups involved in that process. IETF's separate STD document series defines the fully standardized network protocols of the Internet, such as IP
, TCP
, and DNS
.)
A given RFC number always refers to a specific version of a document but the BCP number refers to the most recent revision of the document. Thus, citations often reference both the BCP number and the RFC number.
Examples: BCP 38, BCP 47.
The Internet Engineering Task Force
Internet Engineering Task Force
The Internet Engineering Task Force develops and promotes Internet standards, cooperating closely with the W3C and ISO/IEC standards bodies and dealing in particular with standards of the TCP/IP and Internet protocol suite...
publishes best current practice (BCP) documents in a numbered document series. Each documents in this series is paired with a request for comments
Request for Comments
In computer network engineering, a Request for Comments is a memorandum published by the Internet Engineering Task Force describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems.Through the Internet Society, engineers and...
(RFC) document. BCPs are document guidelines, processes, methods, and other matters not suitable for standardization. The Internet standards process itself is defined in a series of BCPs, as is the formal organizational structure of the IETF, Internet Engineering Steering Group
Internet Engineering Steering Group
The Internet Engineering Steering Group is a body composed of the Internet Engineering Task Force chair and area directors.It provides the final technical review of Internet standards and is responsible for day-to-day management of the IETF...
, Internet Architecture Board
Internet Architecture Board
The Internet Architecture Board is the committee charged with oversight of the technical and engineering development of the Internet by the Internet Society ....
, and other groups involved in that process. IETF's separate STD document series defines the fully standardized network protocols of the Internet, such as IP
Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...
, TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
The Transmission Control Protocol is one of the core protocols of the Internet Protocol Suite. TCP is one of the two original components of the suite, complementing the Internet Protocol , and therefore the entire suite is commonly referred to as TCP/IP...
, and DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
.)
A given RFC number always refers to a specific version of a document but the BCP number refers to the most recent revision of the document. Thus, citations often reference both the BCP number and the RFC number.
Examples: BCP 38, BCP 47.