ietf-dkim
[Top] [All Lists]

[ietf-dkim] t=y is ugly and critical tagsb

2006-04-24 23:40:05
Small complaint: in draft-ietf-dkim-base-01.txt, the record (section 3.6.1) defines a `flags` tag identified by `t=`, with the only defined value being `y`, standing for `testing DKIM, do not discard message even if signature verification fails`.

I guess the original role for `t=y` was for `testing flag`, then extended so that the same parameter can be used for future-defined flags. Probably a good idea, but leaving the choices `t=y` is ugly (not mnemonic).

I know implementors will hate to change but I still think the spec should adopt the menmonic `f=t` (for `flags=test`) instead... Implementations can also support the old `t=y` tag to avoid glitches. This should not cause a problem as the spec says to ignore any undefined tags (in both key record and signature).

I'm actually concerned also about this. Suppose you need a new tag to the key record or to the signature, and this tag is `critical` - the signature or key record should _not_ be used by someone not aware of this tag. This seems quite possible. We could support this pretty easily by allowing marking of such critical tags, e.g. any tag beginning with c- is critical (and if not recognized, entire signature or key record should be ignored).

Nothing much.. Best, Amir Herzberg

_______________________________________________
NOTE WELL: This list operates according to http://mipassoc.org/dkim/ietf-list-rules.html

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>