Working Group: Applications Editor(s):

SAMP is a messaging protocol that enables astronomy software tools to interoperate and communicate. IVOA members have recognised that building a monolithic tool that attempts to fulfil all the requirements of all users is impractical, and it is a better use of our limited resources to enable individual tools to work together better. One element of this is defining common file formats for the exchange of data between different applications. Another important component is a messaging system that enables the applications to share data and take advantage of each other’s func-tionality. SAMP builds on the success of a prior messaging protocol, PLASTIC, which has been in use since 2006 in over a dozen astron-omy applications and has proven popular with users and developers. It is also intended to form a framework for more general messaging requirements. Status of this Document This is a Working Draft. It is not appropriate to refer to it except as a work in progress. Comments, questions and discussions relating to this document may be posted to the SAMP subgroup of the Applications Working Group at mailto