NAME Tag - Are "/" required even if the individual does not have a surname?

[Norwegian-Sardines]

Historically, in many cultures an inheritable (using the g7:SURN, A family name passed on or used by members of a family) surname was not needed. Even today Iceland does not have a surname tradition.

For individuals who do not have a surname, what is the prescribed notation for individuals who do not have a surname vs individuals who have a surname but the name is not known?

In my application "/" is not required and only used when:

1. a surname is provided (surrounding the surname with "/") Example: John /Doe/
2. a surname is unknown (Empty "//") Example: John //

Individuals without surnames do not have an empty "//" ! Example: Rigborg Danielsdatter

I don't see any reference to this is the documentation, in particular that "/" are not required when a individual does not have a surname.

[dthaler]

Section 2.8 (Personal Name) has:

PersonalName = nameStr
             / [nameStr] "/" [nameStr] "/" [nameStr]

The first line of the above ABNF indicates that "/" are not required.

[Norwegian-Sardines]

Maybe I'm too stupid to understand this but does the first character in the following mean "or"?

/ [nameStr] "/" [nameStr] "/" [nameStr]

[dthaler]

Correct, section 1.1 (Characters) says:

Character-level grammars are specified in this document using Augmented Backus-Naur Form (ABNF) as defined in STD 68 and modified in RFC 7405. We use the term “production” to refer to an ABNF rule, supported by any other rules it references.

The following is a brief summary of the parts of ABNF, as defined by STD 68 and RFC 7405, that are used in this document:

• A rule consists of a rulename, an equals sign =, and 1 or more alternative matches.
• Alternatives are separated by slashes /.

[Norwegian-Sardines]

Thanks, I'm used to a different notation for "or"
PersonalName = nameStr | [nameStr] "/" [nameStr] "/" [nameStr]

I'm showing my age!