====== Declaration ====== [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go up to Terms and Definitions]] ===== Discussion ===== A Declaration is an explicit, machine-processable statement that identifies a value, selection, relationship, constraint, capability, requirement, or intended condition within a defined language or information structure. The language or information structure determines the permitted form, meaning, validation rules, and processing effect of the Declaration. A Declaration makes information explicit rather than leaving a processing system to derive the information solely from defaults, inference, convention, or implementation behavior. One or more Declarations may form part of a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:declarative_description|Declarative Description]]. Within a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:crucible_description|Crucible Description]], Declarations may identify source locations, pinned versions, providers, machine-image requirements, infrastructure requirements, compliance posture, or target environments. ===== Definition ===== //explicit, machine-processable statement that identifies a value, selection, relationship, constraint, capability, requirement, or intended condition within a defined language or information structure// ===== Source ===== Generalised from programming languages, configuration languages, policy languages, modeling languages, and declarative-system usage. ===== Note ===== A Declaration does not necessarily establish a normative requirement. Its effect depends on the language, information structure, processing rules, and context in which it appears. The controlled term applies when a statement has a defined machine-processable meaning. An ordinary spoken or written declaration does not necessarily satisfy this definition. A declared value differs from a defaulted or inferred value because the applicable artifact explicitly states the declared value. ===== Example ===== A Crucible Description contains a Declaration that selects a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:s:stig]] benchmark and enables remediation for a machine-image build. ---- © 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.