How a Header's Answer Is Decided

How a Header's Answer Is Decided A workflow diagram generated by Archify. 01 / The five steps, in order 02 / Step 3 up close: Decided by 03 / Step 4 up close: which default wins 1 Defaults · every header starts here · The five steps, in order 1 Defaults every header starts here 2 Requests · laid over the defaults · The five steps, in order 2 Requests laid over the defaults 3 Decided by · settles each header · The five steps, in order 3 Decided by settles each header 4 Limits · + conditional defaults · The five steps, in order 4 Limits + conditional defaults 5 Gate, Inherit · after the parent · The five steps, in order 5 Gate, Inherit after the parent Answer · prints in the code · The five steps, in order Answer prints in the code None hold · the else: stays open · Step 3 up close: Decided by None hold the else: stays open One holds · its answer, filled in · Step 3 up close: Decided by One holds its answer, filled in Several hold · each allowed, one Default · Step 3 up close: Decided by Several hold each allowed, one Default Refused · no single Default · Step 3 up close: Decided by Refused no single Default Requested · if inside its limits · Step 4 up close: which default wins Requested if inside its limits Conditional · first rule that fits · Step 4 up close: which default wins Conditional first rule that fits Mapping · the marked Default · Step 4 up close: which default wins Mapping the marked Default Header · its own Default · Step 4 up close: which default wins Header its own Default Only option · if just one is left · Step 4 up close: which default wins Only option if just one is left Unanswered · no rung fits · Step 4 up close: which default wins Unanswered no rung fits else else not exactly one else else else else else Legend User UI Agent logic Policy Context / trace External system

A request is not replaced

  • • Defaults, mappings and inheritance only fill a header nobody asked about
  • • Only a refusing mapping, a hard limit or a gate stops a request

Decided by is if, else if, else

  • • A mapping holds when its IF and every AND hold; none holding leaves the header on its own default
  • • Several holding allow each answer, and exactly one must be marked Default

A rung counts only if allowed

  • • Not marked not applicable, inside its hard limits, and permitted by any mapping that holds
  • • Step 4 can move a header, and the mappings that read it then run again