RETS Change Proposal 19: Metadata-Table ShortName
Author: Brita Brodin
Organization: WyldFyre Technologies
Telephone: (408)369-8900
Address:
Email: brita@wyldfyre.com
Status: Proposal
Date: 12/09/2002
Proposal Version: 1.0
1. Synopsis
The Metadata-Table ShortName field currently is described as “An abbreviated field name that is also localizable and human-readable.  Use of this field is implementation-defined”.  The first sentence should be modified to read “An abbreviated field name that is also localizable, human-readable, and user-friendly”.
2. Rationale
Certain RETS vendor(s) currently provide values such as “AX0001” as the ShortName for a field such as List Price. The vendor’s argument is that the ShortName provided is “human-readable”. Thus, it is requested that the description be further enhanced to indicate that the value provided should be user-friendly as well.
3. Proposal
In Table 11-4 the first sentence in the Description column for the ShortName field should read:

“An abbreviated field name that is also localizable, human-readable, and user-friendly. This is the value that may be used to define column headings”.

4. Development Impact
RETS Metadata generation methodologies may need to be altered.
5. Compatibility
RETS 1.5 Servers would be required to adhere to the uniqueness rule to be compatible.
6. Proof/Need of Concept Examples
None.