Raw parameters, sometimes referred to as unformatted, consist of a sequence of bytes that do not adhere any particular data representation standard. Typically a variable of type X is used to pass such raw parameters, although in the case of overlays, the data type specified by the caller may not necessarily be X; it may also be a MAP1 variable with MAP2 variables beneath it. Because there is no prearranged standard to identify the end of the data, the length must specified, either explicitly (in the routine documentation and/or external parameter), or implicitly (by the size of the variable containing the raw parameter).