WHOIS++

WHOIS++ is a directory service protocol designed as a successor to the original WHOIS protocol. It aims to overcome limitations of the older system, particularly in handling structured data and supporting internationalization. While the original WHOIS primarily relied on plain text responses, WHOIS++ utilizes a more structured data format, allowing for easier parsing and manipulation of the information.

Key features of WHOIS++ include:

• Structured Data: WHOIS++ employs a structured data format, typically using a hierarchical structure to represent the information. This contrasts with the unstructured plain text format of traditional WHOIS.
• Internationalization Support: WHOIS++ is designed with internationalization in mind, enabling the representation of data in multiple languages and character sets. This addresses a significant limitation of the original WHOIS, which primarily focused on ASCII characters.
• Extensibility: The protocol is designed to be extensible, allowing for the addition of new attributes and data types without requiring major changes to the core protocol.
• Hierarchical Directory Structure: WHOIS++ utilizes a hierarchical directory structure, which allows for more efficient searching and retrieval of information. This contrasts with the relatively flat structure of the original WHOIS.
• Improved Querying Capabilities: WHOIS++ offers improved querying capabilities compared to the original WHOIS. This includes support for more complex search criteria and filtering options.

While WHOIS++ aimed to improve upon the original WHOIS protocol, it did not achieve widespread adoption. The Internet community continued to rely on the simpler, widely established WHOIS and eventually transitioned to newer protocols like Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP), which addressed many of the same limitations targeted by WHOIS++.