Quick question regarding RFCs

evil_lbt · May 2007

When you guys read a RFC, for example, #2178, do you actually read it from top to buttom? or you just scan through it ? RFCs are driving me nuts

Slowhand · May 2007

I read the whole thing if it's a brand-new topic. If it's something I've read about before, something that's been updated since last time I looked at it, or it's something that I've read about before but need some more information on, I only read the section(s) I need.

JDMurray · May 2007

Most of the time I'm searching the RFCs only for specific information. If I need to really learn about the topic(s) an RFC covers, I'll scan through it from top-to-bottom looking for the high-level descriptive information first and the details second. Mosts RFCs are written like patents in that they throughly describe a mechanism or process that someone somewhere (usually a programmer) will need to implement. Most RFCs are by no means an instruction manual, so much of the time you spend reading them you'll need to dig for and synthesize the information that you really need. And like patents, until you get used to reading them, they may very well drive you nuts.

Wikipedia: Request For Comments

Paul Boz · May 2007

I usually print them out and highlight what I find important, disregarding all of the "fluff."