scope:

The Loadable Software Part Definition Format defined by this standard is provided to ensure interoperability between ARINC 838 software parts and the tools/processes designed to support ARINC 838 software part users and transactions.

This Specification defines:

• The syntax (simple generic grammar) and semantics (definition of the fields, such as name, type, constraints and meaning) of the ARINC 838 Loadable Software Part Definition Format in Section 3.
• The definition of XML notation of the grammar in Section 4.
• The definition of binary notation of the grammar in Section 5.

Analogous to the practices of installing hardware parts onto aircraft, software is also controlled as an aircraft part to provide similar processes for managing hardware and software. This is explained further in ARINC Report 667.

This Specification addresses the:

• Structural definition of an ARINC 838 software part.
• Integrity check for an ARINC 838 software part.
• Creation of XML and binary software part definition content.