What is an RFC?
Posted by Dave Winer, 7/16/00 at 3:08:27 PM. RFC is an acronym for Request For Comment.An RFC is a specific kind of document, a plan or proposal that the author wants to get feedback on.
The term came from the IETF, which uses RFCs as the basis for documenting Internet standards. The idea is cool because it says that other people are involved in the standard-setting process, not just people who write documents.
UserLand's internal development process is structured around RFCs. It's not uncommon for a team leader to ask for an RFC from one of the team members. In doing so he or she is saying that a plan is sought, but that his or her comments will follow the proposed plan. In this form of management, the person writing the RFC is usually the person who will implement the features outlined in the RFC.
Postscript: Vint Cerf writes that the term did not originate with the IETF.
