  SAMP is a messaging protocol that enables astronomy software tools to
interoperate and communicate.
  IVOA members have recognised that building a monolithic tool that attempts to
fulfil all the requirements of all users is impractical, and it is a better use
of our limited resources to enable individual tools to work together better.
One element of this is defining common file formats for the exchange of data
between different applications. Another important component is a messaging
system that enables the applications to share data and take advantage of each
other's functionality. SAMP builds on the success of a prior messaging
protocol, PLASTIC, which has been in use since 2006 in over a dozen astronomy
applications and has proven popular with users and developers. It is also
intended to form a framework for more general messaging requirements.
