[sparkplug-dev] Request for comments on Sparkplug 'A'

[Wes Johnson <wes0johnson@xxxxxxxxx>]

TL;DR: Is there anyone concerned with the 'Sparkplug A' version of the 
protobuf payload being removed from the original version of the 
specification?

History: The original concept behind payloads for Sparkplug was that 
there could/would be more than one. As a result, we created a 'first 
topic token' to define what the form of the payload would be. A well 
known example of this is 'spBv1.0'. The idea here was:
sp = Sparkplug
B = The form of the payload (i.e. the 'B' Google Protobuf definition)
v1.0 = The version of the payload form (i.e. version 1.0 - and there 
could be future versions)

So, there could be completely different forms of a payload (i.e. JSON, 
XML, some yet to be defined structure, etc). Then there could also be 
versions of the payload forms. Using this first token, an Edge Node is 
declaring what decoder to use at a Host Application.

As we thought could occur, there were a number of problems with 
Sparkplug A. We tracked a lot of these issues and pretty quickly after 
the original Sparkplug A release came up with the 'B' version. However, 
at this point I know of nobody using the 'A' form except for Cirrus 
Link. With the evolution of the specification the current thinking of 
the spec team is to note the history and long term vision of payload 
structures, but not include the technical details of 'A' as there 
doesn't seem to be a good reason to do so. I would always encourage any 
new implementor to go the route of B.

So my question is - Is there anyone that strongly disagrees with this 
before it gets removed?