Dear WG, Please review the below problem statement: -------- NWI-6 - Applicable data model not clear from contextless objects Currently it is not possible to derive what semantics or data model applies to a RPSL object in the RIPE database. This disadvantageous property introduces complexity all across the board: - redefining the semantics of an existing RPSL attribute introduces operational complexity. - operators have precisely align their client-side software deployment with the RIPE database deployment timeline. - deprecating RPSL attributes which are "mandatory" (as defined in the RPSL dictionary) is challenging as a client cannot know if the object stems from a time in which the attribute was mandatory or not. - objects which are provided without historical context are hard to parse, one cannot programmatically know how to interpret the attributes or assess which attributes should have been there. ------- As author of this problem statement and co-chair of this Working Group I have the following notes I'd like to share. Reflecting on the past period in which I was tasked to assist the group in helping the database progress, I've observed that any change or even proposal for change in the database is easily met with detestation. A recurring theme is that post-deployment people comment "I was not expecting this", and before in the proposal phase other stakeholders state "this is too complex to deploy, we'll break old clients". I believe that if we somehow address the issue of introducing change _itself_, we'll garner a crucial feature which will be rewarding in whatever direction the database takes in future.