GOST 19.101-77 PDF
Name in English:
GOST 19.101-77
Name in Russian:
ГОСТ 19.101-77
Unified system for program documentation. Types of programs and program documents
Full title and description
GOST 19.101-77 — Единая система программной документации. Виды программ и программных документов (Unified system for program documentation. Types of programs and program documents). The standard establishes the classification (kinds) of computer programs and the kinds of program documentation used for computing machines, complexes and systems, irrespective of their purpose or application.
Abstract
GOST 19.101-77 is a short ESPD (Unified System for Program Documentation) standard that defines the categories of software and the categories of accompanying program documents. Originally approved in the late 1970s and introduced in 1980, it was maintained with later reprints and amendments and has been replaced by an updated intergovernmental standard, GOST 19.101-2024, which entered into force in 2025.
General information
- Status: Replaced / superseded by GOST 19.101-2024 (introduced as the national/interstate standard with effect from 30 January 2025).
- Publication date: Approved 20 May 1977; introduced into force 1 January 1980 (original designation 19.101-77).
- Publisher: Approved by Gosstandart of the USSR (original); implemented/maintained later by Rosstandart and included in national collections and reprints.
- ICS / categories: Information technology; office machines — software and software documentation (ICS classification / OKS categories commonly listed as 35.080 / 35.020).
- Edition / version: Original designation ГОСТ 19.101-77 (1977/1980); later reprints and at least one textual amendment; officially superseded by ГОСТ 19.101-2024.
- Number of pages: Short document — commonly listed as 4 pages (some catalogs list 4–5 pages depending on format/reprint).
Scope
The standard applies to programs for computing equipment and to program documentation and sets out the recognized kinds (types) of programs and of program documents used across development, operation and maintenance activities. It is a normative element of the Unified System for Program Documentation (ESPD) and is intended to provide a consistent terminology and classification baseline for other ESPD standards that govern content, structure and formatting of specific program documents.
Key topics and requirements
- Definition of the main kinds (categories) of computer programs and software (classification by purpose and function) as used within ESPD.
- Definition/listing of kinds of program documents (the standard’s table of contents lists “1. Types of programs” and “2. Types of program documents”).
- Provides a normative reference point for other ESPD standards that specify stages of development, document content and formatting (it does not replace those technical-content standards).
- Short, high-level normative text intended for cross-referencing by implementing documentation sets and national/intrastate updates.
Typical use and users
Used by software developers, technical authors and documentation engineers preparing program documentation in accordance with ESPD; by project managers and quality/compliance teams verifying document sets; and by standardization and archival bodies maintaining normative documentation collections. Historically used in the USSR and subsequently in Russian and CIS organizations that apply GOST/ESPD rules.
Related standards
Part of the Unified System for Program Documentation (ESPD). Related and commonly cross-referenced standards include other GOST 19 series documents such as GOST 19.102 (stages of development), GOST 19.201 (technical assignment) and subsequent modernized/revised ESPD standards including GOST 19.101-2024 which replaces 19.101-77.
Keywords
program documentation, software documentation, types of programs, program documents, ESPD, GOST 19, software classification, unified system for program documentation.
FAQ
Q: What is this standard?
A: GOST 19.101-77 is a short ESPD standard that defines the kinds (types) of computer programs and the kinds of program documents used for computers and computing systems; it provides classification and terminology used by other ESPD documents.
Q: What does it cover?
A: It covers two principal topics: the types of programs and the types of program documents (the document’s content is concise and intended as a normative list/classification rather than detailed procedural rules).
Q: Who typically uses it?
A: Software developers, documentation specialists (technical writers), project managers, QA and compliance personnel, archivists and standards bodies working with Russian/CIS program documentation or following the ESPD framework.
Q: Is it current or superseded?
A: Superseded — GOST 19.101-77 has been replaced by GOST 19.101-2024; the replacement standard was introduced into force on 30 January 2025. For current normative requirements and any substantive changes, consult GOST 19.101-2024.
Q: Is it part of a series?
A: Yes — it is part of the GOST 19 series (Unified System for Program Documentation, ESPD). Other standards in the series cover stages of development, content and formatting of specific program documents and related processes.
Q: What are the key keywords?
A: program documentation; software documentation; types of programs; program documents; ESPD; GOST 19.101.