Summary
Text format agreements between OSID Consumer and OSID Provider.
The Multi-Format OSID Provider
The interfaces optimize for OSID Consumers that support a single format without having to understand a Type agreement. Now we have an OSID Provider that supports multiple Format Types and there's no way to specify one in an admin session.
Assumption: The OSID Consumer must also understand how to deliver multiple Format Types. If not, then there is no reason to have an OSID Provider present multiple Format Types and one should be nailed up for that OSID Consumer.
Solution 1
The OSID Provider can detect among the formats given to it. This works if the text formats are distinguishable. The Metadata for text fields will indicate multiple format Types.
Solution 2
The OSID Consumer specifies the format via the launch of the AdminSession using a proxy service in the same way as one would specify a language or script Type.
Solution 3
Make a new Format Type.
Define an "any format type" with the following syntax:
nroff:.PPsee spot run.PP
The Type is an agreement between the OSID Consumer and the OSID Provider as to what is being passed.