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    Glossary
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Should

Definitions:

  Used to indicate a strong recommendation but not a requirement of this standard. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results.
Sources:
FIPS 186-5

  This term is used to indicate an important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results. Note that should may be coupled with not to become should not.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-135 Rev. 1
NIST SP 800-56B Rev. 2

  Is recommended to.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-38F under should

  This term is used to indicate a very important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results. Note that should may be coupled with not to become should not.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-57 Part 1 Rev. 5

  Used to indicate a strong recommendation, but not a requirement of this Recommendation.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-89

  Used to indicate a highly desirable feature for a DRBG mechanism that is not necessarily required by this Recommendation. "Should" may be coupled with "not" to become "should not."
Sources:
NIST SP 800-90A Rev. 1

  The term used to indicate an important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results. Note that should may be coupled with not to become should not.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-90B

  When shown in a bold font, this term is used to indicate an important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results. Note that should may be coupled with not to become should not.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-175B Rev. 1

  This term is used to indicate an important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results.
Sources:
NIST SP 1800-15B
NIST SP 1800-15C

  The term used to indicate an important recommendation. Ignoring the recommendation could result in undesirable results. Note that should may be coupled with not to become should not.
Sources:
NIST SP 800-108r1 [August 2022 (Includes updates as of 02-02-2024)] under should

  An objective that can be met.  It is used when a specific requirement is not feasible in some situations or with common current technology.  Non- conformance to such requirements requires less justification and should be more readily approved.
Sources:
NISTIR 5153