RFC 5545
RFC 5545 is an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard that defines the iCalendar data format for representing and exchanging calendaring and scheduling information. It specifies a text-based format for describing events, to-dos, journal entries, and free/busy time, enabling interoperability between different calendar applications and systems. This standard is widely used in email clients, calendar software, and web services to facilitate scheduling across platforms.
Developers should learn RFC 5545 when building or integrating calendar features, such as event management systems, scheduling tools, or email applications that handle invitations. It is essential for ensuring compatibility with major calendar services like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Apple Calendar, as it provides a standardized way to parse, generate, and exchange calendar data. Understanding this standard helps avoid proprietary formats and supports cross-platform functionality in collaborative and productivity applications.