Autonomic Computing

Types of Standards—Proprietary Versus Open

We can analyze two types of basic standards:

• Proprietary, or de facto (“from the fact”), standards have evolved from a product line or specific vendor, such as the IBM PC, UNIX or Microsoft's Windows. These standards develop when such a product or vendor is widely accepted by a broad base of customers or users. It may become a dominant technology and if produced from a single company it is designated as “proprietary” or exclusive. The dangers should be apparent—a single supplier or vendor has total control over the functionality and usefulness of the product.

• Open, or de jure (“by law”), standards are developed and adopted by some authorized standardization body. Such organizations may be created by treaty ...