GOST 19.502-78 PDF
Name in English:
GOST 19.502-78
Name in Russian:
ГОСТ 19.502-78
Unified system for program documentation. Description of use. Requirements for contents and form of presentation
Full title and description
GOST 19.502-78 — Единая система программной документации. Описание применения. Требования к содержанию и оформлению (Unified system for program documentation — Description of use. Requirements for contents and form of presentation). This standard sets out the required composition, content and presentation rules for the program-document known as "Описание применения" (Description of use / General description).
Abstract
Short national standard from the Unified System for Program Documentation (ЕСПД) that prescribes the structure, mandatory sections and basic formatting rules for the "Description of use" program document used in software development and technical documentation. It is a concise normative document intended to ensure consistent content and presentation across program documentation.
General information
- Status: Active / in force (document listed as действующий in national databases).
- Publication date: Approved 18 December 1978; introduced into effect 1 January 1980.
- Publisher: Approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR (Gosstandart); published in editions by the Standards Publishing House (Издательство стандартов) and later reprints by standard libraries.
- ICS / categories: 35.080 (Software, program documentation / Information technology).
- Edition / version: Original 1978 standard with Amendment No.1 (entered 01.01.1982); has been reissued/reprinted in later collections (noted reprints/updates in 1987 and later catalog entries).
- Number of pages: Short document — typically shown as 2–3 pages depending on the reprint/format.
Details summarized from national standards catalogues and standard repositories.
Scope
The standard establishes the required composition and the content and formatting requirements for the program document called "Описание применения" (Description of use or General description), as defined within the Unified System for Program Documentation (GOST 19 series). It applies to producers of program documentation who must provide a consistent general description of a program's purpose, composition, operation conditions, interfaces and other essential information.
Key topics and requirements
- Definition of the document "Описание применения" and its place in the Unified System for Program Documentation (GOST 19 series).
- Mandatory sections and recommended content for the Description of use (purpose, functional assignment, composition, operating conditions, interfaces, limitations, and references).
- Basic rules for layout and presentation to ensure uniformity across program documents (titles, headings, numbering, and concise content requirements).
- Cross-references to related GOSTs that define document types and general documentation rules (for example GOST 19.101 and GOST 19.105).
- Short, prescriptive format suitable for inclusion in software delivery and archival sets; intended to help reviewers and maintainers quickly understand program purpose and usage.
Typical use and users
Used by software developers, technical writers, configuration managers, quality assurance engineers, archival services and organisations producing or maintaining program documentation within jurisdictions or organisations that reference the GOST family of standards. Typical contexts include government and industrial software projects, legacy system documentation and formal deliveries where adherence to ЕСПД (Unified System for Program Documentation) is required.
Related standards
Part of the GOST 19 series (Unified system for program documentation). Closely related and commonly referenced standards include GOST 19.101 (document types and definitions), GOST 19.105 (general requirements for program documents) and adjacent standards such as GOST 19.501 (Formulary) and other GOST 19.xx documents that govern different program-document types and presentation rules.
Keywords
GOST 19.502-78, ЕСПД, Unified System for Program Documentation, Description of use, General description, program documentation, software documentation, GOST 19, formatting requirements, content requirements, 35.080.
FAQ
Q: What is this standard?
A: GOST 19.502-78 is a national standard from the GOST 19 series that prescribes the content and presentation rules for the program document known as "Описание применения" (Description of use / General description).
Q: What does it cover?
A: It covers the required composition, mandatory sections and basic formatting/presentation rules for the Description of use document so that program purpose, composition, interfaces and operating conditions are consistently and clearly presented.
Q: Who typically uses it?
A: Software developers, technical authors, QA/configuration personnel, archival staff and organisations that prepare formal program documentation under the Unified System for Program Documentation (GOST 19 series) — especially in contexts where compliance with GOST norms is needed.
Q: Is it current or superseded?
A: The standard is listed in national standards catalogues as active (действует). It was approved in 1978 and introduced on 1 January 1980; Amendment No.1 (1982) is incorporated in many editions and later reprints exist. Users should check the most recent national catalogue or standards repository for the current legal/administrative status in their jurisdiction before relying on it for regulatory compliance.
Q: Is it part of a series?
A: Yes — it is part of the GOST 19 series (Unified System for Program Documentation, ЕСПД), which includes multiple documents defining types of program documents, general rules and specific content requirements across software documentation.
Q: What are the key keywords?
A: Description of use, General description, program documentation, GOST 19, unified system for program documentation, content requirements, formatting rules, 35.080.