Yes, and there, I think that MHEG-6 should clarify things and fix them for
everybody.
No doubt MHEG-6 will clarify it for InterchangedProgram. More than that:
MHEG-6 activity is the reason why the changes were proposed and accepted
in Tampere. With the intent that you mention (i.e. since passing Variable
parameters (by value, i.e. as IN pars) practically allows to return value thanks to
Set/GetVariable, there is no reason to have distinct OUT parameters of Integer
(or any other) type - i.e. technically there is no passing by reference.
But MHEG-6 will not clarify anything for RemoteProgram and ResidentProgram,
which are beyond its scope. Procedurally speaking clarification is up to WG12,
and should be based (not on the mood of the moment, but) on the text of the
standard (and on records of decisions made by the committee).
Xavier Marie