FPF Reference

    A.6.8:4.5 — Deontic rule (the “must/shall” test)

    Preface node heading:a-6-8-4-5-deontic-rule-the-must-shall-test:16391

    What this page is

    This is generated FPF reference text from the specification preface or supporting sections. It helps interpret FPF; it is not FPF Reference product documentation.

    Methodology

    Use it to understand how the specification wants to be read, then return to a route, pattern, or work packet for active work. Cite generated IDs only when the wording changes the task decision.

    Content

    If the sentence contains deontic force (must/shall/guarantee/obligated/SLA), the referent MUST include a service commitment slot, and the deontic language MUST attach to the commitment/holder, not to the clause or to the access point.

    When the prose needs a subject, prefer: “the service provider principal SHALL … under commitment C” rather than “the service SHALL …”.

    No hidden agency rule (normative): A conforming text SHALL NOT use an access object (e.g., endpoint/access point) as the grammatical subject of an RFC‑keyword sentence. It SHALL use the accountable principal (or role assignment) as subject and then state the operational condition on the access point as a predicate/evidence claim. (See CC‑A.6.8‑4 and CC‑A.6.8‑8.)

    Last Updated: 2026-06-08 — upstream FPF commit 093d30e8 (github.com/ailev/FPF)