Editing Request for Comments (section)

{{short description|Publication of the development and standards for the Internet}}
{{Redirect|Requests for comment|the Wikipedia process|Wikipedia:Requests for comment|selfref=y}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{CS1 config|mode=cs1}}

A '''Request for Comments''' ('''RFC''') is a publication in a series from the principal technical development and standards-setting bodies for the [[Internet]], most prominently the [[Internet Engineering Task Force]] (IETF).<ref name="rfc9280"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=RFCs |url=https://www.ietf.org/standards/rfcs/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=IETF |language=en}}</ref> An RFC is authored by individuals or groups of engineers and [[computer scientist]]s in the form of a [[memorandum]] describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems. It is submitted either for [[peer review]] or to convey new concepts, information, or, occasionally, engineering humor.<ref name=":0">{{cite IETF |title=A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers |rfc=1149 |last=Waitzman |first=David |date=April 1, 1990 |publisher=[[IETF]] |access-date=March 29, 2017 }}</ref>

The IETF adopts some of the proposals published as RFCs as [[Internet Standard]]s. However, many RFCs are informational or experimental in nature and are not standards.<ref name=":1">{{cite IETF |title=Not All RFCs are Standards |rfc=1796 |last1=Huitema |first1=Christian |author-link1=Christian Huitema |last2=Postel |first2=Jon |author-link2=Jon Postel |last3=Crocker |first3=Steve |author-link3=Steve Crocker |date=April 1995 |publisher=[[IETF]] |access-date=May 15, 2018 }}</ref> The RFC system was invented by [[Steve Crocker]] in 1969 to help record unofficial notes on the development of [[ARPANET]]. RFCs have since become official documents of Internet [[specifications]], [[communications protocol]]s, procedures, and events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livinginternet.com/i/ia_rfc.htm |title=RFC's, Internet Request For Comments |publisher=Livinginternet.com |access-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref> According to Crocker, the documents "shape the Internet's inner workings and have played a significant role in its success," but are not widely known outside the community.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/opinion/07crocker.html?_r=1&em |title=Stephen D. Crocker, ''How the Internet Got Its Rules'', The New York Times, 6 April 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= April 7, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref>

Outside of the Internet community, other documents also called ''requests for comments'' have been published, as in [[U.S. Federal government]] work, such as the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Notice and Request for Comments | website=[[Federal Register]] | date=2018-01-16 | url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/01/16/2018-00519/notice-and-request-for-comments}}</ref>