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+# Requirements
+
+* The API must have zero dependencies and be header-only.
+
+Pros: allows you to drop it into a source tree (i.e. vendor it) without changing
+the build or adding a dependency.
+
+* The SDK should have minimal dependencies.
+
+* Exporters can bring in transport dependencies, e.g. Stackdriver exporter
+depends on gRPC.
+
+* Support both static linking and dynamic loading.
+
+Dynamic loading is required because some vendors want to drop in their own
+implementation of the SDK. It also allows low-dependency builds.
+
+This also requires a stable C++ ABI. There is quite a bit of interest in this.
+
+This means STL types can't be used in the interface.
+
+* OpenTelemetry should not _require_ a dedicated thread for background work and
+exporters.