This International Standard specifies the functional architecture of MAPLE, a Manufacturing Automation Programming Environment. MAPLE is a common vendor-independent neutral support facility for the programming of multiple manufacturing devices and controls. Thus, MAPLE offers a single environment for the programming of a number of devices and controls not necessarily made by the same company. In addition, MAPLE does not require specifying specific devices and controls at programming time. To the extent that it is concerned with the programming of manufacturing devices and controls, MAPLE will support the following areas: — connections between various manufacturing data and manufacturing application programs; — management of several manufacturing databases; — sharing of manufacturing application programs and manufacturing software tools. The scope of this International Standard will be relevant to the following users of the MAPLE standard: — developers of manufacturing application programs; — operators editing manufacturing programs; — engineers who need to refer to manufacturing data.