SML terminology and acronym safety

Distinguishes Standard ML (commonly abbreviated SML) from Small Language Model (SLM) so content, URLs, metadata, and code examples do not conflate them.

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Distinguishes Standard ML (commonly abbreviated SML) from Small Language Model (SLM) so content, URLs, metadata, and code examples do not conflate them.

Required usage

SML
Standard ML, the functional programming language.
SLM
Small Language Model.

Editorial checks

Spell out the term on first use, keep route slugs unambiguous, label diagrams, and avoid filenames that could be interpreted as the other concept.

Scope

This starter page defines the questions, boundaries, evidence, and failure modes that should be recorded before a capability is presented as supported.

Engineering considerations

  • Identify the source, version, target environment, and owner.
  • Separate observed values from estimates and externally reported values.
  • Record trade-offs, unsupported cases, and fallback behavior.
  • Link performance statements to a compatible benchmark methodology.

Verification questions

  • What exact artifact, revision, backend, and environment were reviewed?
  • Which assumptions could change the result?
  • Which data should be retained so another engineer can reproduce the conclusion?