Changes for page 12 Validation and Transformation Language (VTL)

Last modified by Helena on 2025/09/10 11:19

From 5.9 to 5.10 From 5.20 to 5.21

From version 5.10

edited by Helena
on 2025/05/16 08:34

Change comment: There is no comment for this version

To version 5.20

edited by Helena
on 2025/05/16 08:57

Change comment: There is no comment for this version

Raw
Rendered

Summary

Page properties (1 modified, 0 added, 0 removed)

Details

Page properties

Content

@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
  'urn:sdmx:org.sdmx.infomodel.codelist.Codelist=AG:CL_FREQ(1.0.0)'
--if the Codelist is referenced from a RulesetScheme belonging to the agency AG, omitting all the optional parts, the abbreviated reference would become simply^^19^^:
++if the Codelist is referenced from a RulesetScheme belonging to the agency AG, omitting all the optional parts, the abbreviated reference would become simply{{footnote}}Single quotes are not needed in this case because CL_FREQ is a VTL regular name.{{/footnote}}:
  CL_FREQ
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
  SECTOR
--For example, the Transformation for renaming the component SECTOR of the Dataflow DF1 into SEC can be written as{{footnote}}Single quotes are not needed in this case because CL_FREQ is a VTL regular name.{{/footnote}}:
++For example, the Transformation for renaming the component SECTOR of the Dataflow DF1 into SEC can be written as{{footnote}}The result DFR(1.0.0) is be equal to DF1(1.0.0) save that the component SECTOR is called SEC{{/footnote}}:
  'DFR(1.0.0)' := 'DF1(1.0.0)' [rename SECTOR to SEC]
@@ -164,9 +164,9 @@
  The VTL Rulesets have a signature, in which the Value Domains or the Variables on which the Ruleset is defined are declared, and a body, which contains the Rules.
--In the signature, given the mapping between VTL and SDMX better described in the following paragraphs, a reference to a VTL Value Domain becomes a reference to a SDMX Codelist, while a reference to a VTL Represented Variable becomes a reference to a SDMX Concept, assuming for it a definite representation^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^18^^>>path:#sdfootnote18sym||name="sdfootnote18anc"]](%%)^^.
++In the signature, given the mapping between VTL and SDMX better described in the following paragraphs, a reference to a VTL Value Domain becomes a reference to a SDMX Codelist, while a reference to a VTL Represented Variable becomes a reference to a SDMX Concept, assuming for it a definite representation{{footnote}}Rulesets of this kind cannot be reused when the referenced Concept has a different representation.{{/footnote}}.
--In general, for referencing SDMX Codelists and Concepts, the conventions described in the previous paragraphs apply. In the Ruleset syntax, the elements that reference SDMX artefacts are called "valueDomain" and "variable" for the Datapoint Rulesets and "ruleValueDomain", "ruleVariable", "condValueDomain" "condVariable" for the Hierarchical Rulesets). The syntax of the Ruleset signature allows also to define aliases of the elements above, these aliases are valid only within the specific Ruleset definition statement and cannot be mapped to SDMX.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^19^^>>path:#sdfootnote19sym||name="sdfootnote19anc"]](%%)^^
++In general, for referencing SDMX Codelists and Concepts, the conventions described in the previous paragraphs apply. In the Ruleset syntax, the elements that reference SDMX artefacts are called "valueDomain" and "variable" for the Datapoint Rulesets and "ruleValueDomain", "ruleVariable", "condValueDomain" "condVariable" for the Hierarchical Rulesets). The syntax of the Ruleset signature allows also to define aliases of the elements above, these aliases are valid only within the specific Ruleset definition statement and cannot be mapped to SDMX.{{footnote}}See also the section "VTL-DL Rulesets" in the VTL Reference Manual.{{/footnote}}
  In the body of the Rulesets, the Codes and in general all the Values can be written without any other specification, because the artefact, which the Values are referred (Codelist, Concept) to can be deduced from the Ruleset signature.
@@ -178,15 +178,15 @@
  Every time a SDMX object is referenced in a VTL Transformation as an input operand, there is the need to generate a VTL definition of the object, so that the VTL operations can take place. This can be made starting from the SDMX definition and applying a SDMX-VTL mapping method in the direction from SDMX to VTL. The possible mapping methods from SDMX to VTL are described in the following paragraphs and are conceived to allow the automatic deduction of the VTL definition of the object from the knowledge of the SDMX definition.
--In the opposite direction, every time an object calculated by means of VTL must be treated as a SDMX object (for example for exchanging it through SDMX), there is the need of a SDMX definition of the object, so that the SDMX operations can take place. The SDMX definition is needed for the VTL objects for which a SDMX use is envisaged^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^20^^>>path:#sdfootnote20sym||name="sdfootnote20anc"]](%%)^^.
++In the opposite direction, every time an object calculated by means of VTL must be treated as a SDMX object (for example for exchanging it through SDMX), there is the need of a SDMX definition of the object, so that the SDMX operations can take place. The SDMX definition is needed for the VTL objects for which a SDMX use is envisaged{{footnote}}If a calculated artefact is persistent, it needs a persistent definition, i.e. a SDMX definition in a SDMX environment. In addition, possible calculated artefact that are not persistent may require a SDMX definition, for example when the result of a non-persistent calculation is disseminated through SDMX tools (like an inquiry tool).{{/footnote}}.
  The mapping methods from VTL to SDMX are described in the following paragraphs as well, however they do not allow the complete SDMX definition to be automatically deduced from the VTL definition, more than all because the former typically contains additional information in respect to the latter. For example, the definition of a SDMX DSD includes also some mandatory information not available in VTL (like the concept scheme to which the SDMX components refer, the ‘usage’ and ‘attributeRelationship’ for the DataAttributes and so on). Therefore the mapping methods from VTL to SDMX provide only a general guidance for generating SDMX definitions properly starting from the information available in VTL, independently of how the SDMX definition it is actually generated (manually, automatically or part and part).
  === 12.3.2 General mapping of VTL and SDMX data structures ===
--This section makes reference to the VTL "Model for data and their structure"^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^21^^>>path:#sdfootnote21sym||name="sdfootnote21anc"]](%%)^^ and the correspondent SDMX "Data Structure Definition"^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^22^^>>path:#sdfootnote22sym||name="sdfootnote22anc"]](%%)^^.
++This section makes reference to the VTL "Model for data and their structure"{{footnote}}See the VTL 2.0 User Manual{{/footnote}} and the correspondent SDMX "Data Structure Definition"{{footnote}}See the SDMX Standards Section 2 – Information Model{{/footnote}}.
--The main type of artefact that the VTL can manipulate is the VTL Data Set, which in general is mapped to the SDMX Dataflow. This means that a VTL Transformation, in the SDMX context, expresses the algorithm for calculating a derived Dataflow starting from some already existing Dataflows (either collected or derived).^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^23^^>>path:#sdfootnote23sym||name="sdfootnote23anc"]](%%)^^
++The main type of artefact that the VTL can manipulate is the VTL Data Set, which in general is mapped to the SDMX Dataflow. This means that a VTL Transformation, in the SDMX context, expresses the algorithm for calculating a derived Dataflow starting from some already existing Dataflows (either collected or derived).{{footnote}}Besides the mapping between one SDMX Dataflow and one VTL Data Set, it is also possible to map distinct parts of a SDMX Dataflow to different VTL Data Set, as explained in a following paragraph.{{/footnote}}
  While the VTL Transformations are defined in term of Dataflow definitions, they are assumed to be executed on instances of such Dataflows, provided at runtime to the VTL engine (the mechanism for identifying the instances to be processed are not part of the VTL specifications and depend on the implementation of the VTL-based systems). As already said, the SDMX Datasets are instances of SDMX Dataflows, therefore a VTL Transformation defined on some SDMX Dataflows can be applied on some corresponding SDMX Datasets.
@@ -206,32 +206,28 @@
  The main mapping method from SDMX to VTL is called **Basic **mapping. This is considered as the default mapping method and is applied unless a different method is specified through the VtlMappingScheme and VtlDataflowMapping classes. When transforming **from SDMX to VTL**, this method consists in leaving the components unchanged and maintaining their names and roles, according to the following table:
--|**SDMX**|**VTL**
--|Dimension|(Simple) Identifier
--|TimeDimension|(Time) Identifier
++(% style="width:529.294px" %)
++|(% style="width:151px" %)**SDMX**|(% style="width:375px" %)**VTL**
++|(% style="width:151px" %)Dimension|(% style="width:375px" %)(Simple) Identifier
++|(% style="width:151px" %)TimeDimension|(% style="width:375px" %)(Time) Identifier
++|(% style="width:151px" %)Measure|(% style="width:375px" %)Measure
++|(% style="width:151px" %)DataAttribute|(% style="width:375px" %)Attribute
--[[image:SDMX 3-0-0 SECTION 6 FINAL-1.0_en_59eee18f.gif||alt="Shape4" height="1" width="192"]]
--
--|Measure|Measure
--|DataAttribute|Attribute
--
  The SDMX DataAttributes, in VTL they are all considered "at data point / observation level" (i.e. dependent on all the VTL Identifiers), because VTL does not have the SDMX AttributeRelationships, which defines the construct to which the DataAttribute is related (e.g. observation, dimension or set or group of dimensions, whole data set).
--With the Basic mapping, one SDMX observation^^27^^ generates one VTL data point.
++With the Basic mapping, one SDMX observation{{footnote}}Here an SDMX observation is meant to correspond to one combination of values of the DimensionComponents.{{/footnote}} generates one VTL data point.
--**12.3.3.2 Pivot Mapping**
++==== 12.3.3.2 Pivot Mapping ====
  An alternative mapping method from SDMX to VTL is the **Pivot **mapping, which makes sense and is different from the Basic method only for the SDMX data structures that contain a Dimension that plays the role of measure dimension (like in SDMX 2.1) and just one Measure. Through this method, these structures can be mapped to multimeasure VTL data structures. Besides that, a user may choose to use any Dimension acting as a list of Measures (e.g., a Dimension with indicators), either by considering the “Measure” role of a Dimension, or at will using any coded Dimension. Of course, in SDMX 3.0, this can only work when only one Measure is defined in the DSD.
--In SDMX 2.1 the MeasureDimension was a subclass of DimensionComponent like Dimension and TimeDimension. In the current SDMX version, this subclass does not exist anymore, however a Dimension can have the role of measure dimension (i.e. a Dimension that contributes to the identification of the measures). In SDMX 2.1 a DataStructure could have zero or one MeasureDimensions, in the current version of the standard, from zero to many Dimension may have the role of measure dimension. Hereinafter a Dimension that plays the role of measure dimension is referenced for simplicity as “MeasureDimension“, i.e. maintaining the capital letters and the courier font even if the MeasureDimension is not anymore a class in the SDMX Information Model of the current SDMX version. For the sake of simplicity, the description below considers just one Dimension having the role of MeasureDimension (i.e., the more simple and common case). Nevertheless, it maintains its validity also if in the DataStructure there are more dimension with the role of MeasureDimensions: in this case what is said about the MeasureDimension must be applied to the combination of all the
++In SDMX 2.1 the MeasureDimension was a subclass of DimensionComponent like Dimension and TimeDimension. In the current SDMX version, this subclass does not exist anymore, however a Dimension can have the role of measure dimension (i.e. a Dimension that contributes to the identification of the measures). In SDMX 2.1 a DataStructure could have zero or one MeasureDimensions, in the current version of the standard, from zero to many Dimension may have the role of measure dimension. Hereinafter a Dimension that plays the role of measure dimension is referenced for simplicity as “MeasureDimension“, i.e. maintaining the capital letters and the courier font even if the MeasureDimension is not anymore a class in the SDMX Information Model of the current SDMX version. For the sake of simplicity, the description below considers just one Dimension having the role of MeasureDimension (i.e., the more simple and common case). Nevertheless, it maintains its validity also if in the DataStructure there are more dimension with the role of MeasureDimensions: in this case what is said about the MeasureDimension must be applied to the combination of all the MeasureDimensions considered as a joint variable{{footnote}}E.g., if in the data structure there exist 3 Dimensions C,D,E having the role of MeasureDimension, they should be considered as a joint MeasureDimension Z=(C,D,E); therefore when the description says “each possible value Cj of the MeasureDimension …” it means “each possible combination of values (Cj, Dk, Ew) of the joint MeasureDimension Z=(C,D,E)”.{{/footnote}}.
--MeasureDimensions considered as a joint variable^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^24^^>>path:#sdfootnote24sym||name="sdfootnote24anc"]](%%)^^.
--
  Among other things, the Pivot method provides also backward compatibility with the SDMX 2.1 data structures that contained a MeasureDimension.
  If applied to SDMX structures that do not contain any MeasureDimension, this method behaves like the Basic mapping (see the previous paragraph).
--^^27^^ Here an SDMX observation is meant to correspond to one combination of values of the DimensionComponents.
++Here an SDMX observation is meant to correspond to one combination of values of the DimensionComponents.
  The SDMX structures that contain a MeasureDimension are mapped as described below (this mapping is equivalent to a pivoting operation):
@@ -253,19 +253,16 @@
  The summary mapping table of the "pivot" mapping from SDMX to VTL for the SDMX data structures that contain a MeasureDimension is the following:
--|**SDMX**|**VTL**
--|Dimension|(Simple) Identifier
--|TimeDimension|(Time) Identifier
--|MeasureDimension & one Measure|(((
--One Measure for each Code of the
--
--SDMX MeasureDimension
++(% style="width:769.294px" %)
++|(% style="width:401px" %)**SDMX**|(% style="width:366px" %)**VTL**
++|(% style="width:401px" %)Dimension|(% style="width:366px" %)(Simple) Identifier
++|(% style="width:401px" %)TimeDimension|(% style="width:366px" %)(Time) Identifier
++|(% style="width:401px" %)MeasureDimension & one Measure|(% style="width:366px" %)(((
++One Measure for each Code of the SDMX MeasureDimension
  )))
--|DataAttribute not depending on the MeasureDimension|Attribute
--|DataAttribute depending on the MeasureDimension|(((
--One Attribute for each Code of the
--
--SDMX MeasureDimension
++|(% style="width:401px" %)DataAttribute not depending on the MeasureDimension|(% style="width:366px" %)Attribute
++|(% style="width:401px" %)DataAttribute depending on the MeasureDimension|(% style="width:366px" %)(((
++One Attribute for each Code of the SDMX MeasureDimension
  )))
  Using this mapping method, the components of the data structure can change in the conversion from SDMX to VTL and it must be taken into account that the VTL statements can reference only the components of the resulting VTL data structure.
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@
  * The value of the Measure of the SDMX observation belonging to the set above and having MeasureDimension=Cj becomes the value of the VTL Measure Cj
  * For the SDMX DataAttributes depending on the MeasureDimension, the value of the DataAttribute DA of the SDMX observation belonging to the set above and having MeasureDimension=Cj becomes the value of the VTL Attribute DA_Cj
--**12.3.3.3 From SDMX DataAttributes to VTL Measures**
++==== 12.3.3.3 From SDMX DataAttributes to VTL Measures ====
  * In some cases, it may happen that the DataAttributes of the SDMX DataStructure need to be managed as Measures in VTL. Therefore, a variant of both the methods above consists in transforming all the SDMX DataAttributes in VTL Measures. When DataAttributes are converted to Measures, the two methods above are called Basic_A2M and Pivot_A2M (the suffix "A2M" stands for Attributes to Measures). Obviously, the resulting VTL data structure is, in general, multi-measure and does not contain
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@
  === 12.3.4 Mapping from VTL to SDMX data structures ===
--**12.3.4.1 Basic Mapping**
++==== 12.3.4.1 Basic Mapping ====
  The main mapping method **from VTL to SDMX** is called **Basic **mapping as well.
@@ -302,11 +302,12 @@
  Mapping table:
--|**VTL**|**SDMX**
--|(Simple) Identifier|Dimension
--|(Time) Identifier|TimeDimension
--|Measure|Measure
--|Attribute|DataAttribute
++(% style="width:667.294px" %)
++|(% style="width:272px" %)**VTL**|(% style="width:392px" %)**SDMX**
++|(% style="width:272px" %)(Simple) Identifier|(% style="width:392px" %)Dimension
++|(% style="width:272px" %)(Time) Identifier|(% style="width:392px" %)TimeDimension
++|(% style="width:272px" %)Measure|(% style="width:392px" %)Measure
++|(% style="width:272px" %)Attribute|(% style="width:392px" %)DataAttribute
  If the distinction between simple identifier and time identifier is not maintained in the VTL environment, the classification between Dimension and TimeDimension exists only in SDMX, as declared in the relevant DataStructureDefinition.
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@
  As said, the resulting SDMX definitions must be compliant with the SDMX consistency rules. For example, the SDMX DSD must have the AttributeRelationship for the DataAttributes, which does not exist in VTL.
--**12.3.4.2 Unpivot Mapping**
++==== 12.3.4.2 Unpivot Mapping ====
  An alternative mapping method from VTL to SDMX is the **Unpivot **mapping.
@@ -340,11 +340,12 @@
  The summary mapping table of the **unpivot** mapping method is the following:
--|**VTL**|**SDMX**
--|(Simple) Identifier|Dimension
--|(Time) Identifier|TimeDimension
--|All Measure Components|MeasureDimension (having one Code for each VTL measure component) & one Measure
--|Attribute|DataAttribute depending on all SDMX Dimensions including the TimeDimension and except the MeasureDimension
++(% style="width:994.294px" %)
++|(% style="width:306px" %)**VTL**|(% style="width:684px" %)**SDMX**
++|(% style="width:306px" %)(Simple) Identifier|(% style="width:684px" %)Dimension
++|(% style="width:306px" %)(Time) Identifier|(% style="width:684px" %)TimeDimension
++|(% style="width:306px" %)All Measure Components|(% style="width:684px" %)MeasureDimension (having one Code for each VTL measure component) & one Measure
++|(% style="width:306px" %)Attribute|(% style="width:684px" %)DataAttribute depending on all SDMX Dimensions including the TimeDimension and except the MeasureDimension
  At observation / data point level:
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
  In any case, the resulting SDMX definitions must be compliant with the SDMX consistency rules. For example, the possible Codes of the SDMX MeasureDimension need to be listed in a SDMX Codelist, with proper id, agency and version; moreover, the SDMX DSD must have the AttributeRelationship for the DataAttributes, which does not exist in VTL.
--**12.3.4.3 From VTL Measures to SDMX Data Attributes**
++==== 12.3.4.3 From VTL Measures to SDMX Data Attributes ====
  More than all for the multi-measure VTL structures (having more than one Measure Component), it may happen that the Measures of the VTL Data Structure need to be managed as DataAttributes in SDMX. Therefore, a third mapping method consists in transforming some VTL measures in a corresponding SDMX Measures and all the other VTL Measures in SDMX DataAttributes. This method is called M2A (“M2A” stands for “Measures to DataAttributes”).
@@ -366,12 +366,13 @@
  The mapping table is the following:
--|VTL|SDMX
--|(Simple) Identifier|Dimension
--|(Time) Identifier|TimeDimension
--|Some Measures|Measure
--|Other Measures|DataAttribute
--|Attribute|DataAttribute
++(% style="width:689.294px" %)
++|(% style="width:344px" %)VTL|(% style="width:341px" %)SDMX
++|(% style="width:344px" %)(Simple) Identifier|(% style="width:341px" %)Dimension
++|(% style="width:344px" %)(Time) Identifier|(% style="width:341px" %)TimeDimension
++|(% style="width:344px" %)Some Measures|(% style="width:341px" %)Measure
++|(% style="width:344px" %)Other Measures|(% style="width:341px" %)DataAttribute
++|(% style="width:344px" %)Attribute|(% style="width:341px" %)DataAttribute
  Even in this case, the resulting SDMX definitions must be compliant with the SDMX consistency rules. For example, the SDMX DSD must have the attributeRelationship for the DataAttributes, which does not exist in VTL.
@@ -389,20 +389,20 @@
  Until now it has been assumed to map one SMDX Dataflow to one VTL Data Set and vice-versa. This mapping one-to-one is not mandatory according to VTL because a VTL Data Set is meant to be a set of observations (data points) on a logical plane, having the same logical data structure and the same general meaning, independently of the possible physical representation or storage (see VTL 2.0 User Manual page 24), therefore a SDMX Dataflow can be seen either as a unique set of data observations (corresponding to one VTL Data Set) or as the union of many sets of data observations (each one corresponding to a distinct VTL Data Set).
--As a matter of fact, in some cases it can be useful to define VTL operations involving definite parts of a SDMX Dataflow instead than the whole.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^25^^>>path:#sdfootnote25sym||name="sdfootnote25anc"]](%%)^^
++As a matter of fact, in some cases it can be useful to define VTL operations involving definite parts of a SDMX Dataflow instead than the whole.{{footnote}}A typical example of this kind is the validation, and more in general the manipulation, of individual time series belonging to the same Dataflow, identifiable through the DimensionComponents of the Dataflow except the TimeDimension. The coding of these kind of operations might be simplified by mapping distinct time series (i.e. different parts of a SDMX Dataflow) to distinct VTL Data Sets.{{/footnote}}
--Therefore, in order to make the coding of VTL operations simpler when applied on parts of SDMX Dataflows, it is allowed to map distinct parts of a SDMX Dataflow to distinct VTL Data Sets according to the following rules and conventions. This kind of mapping is possible both from SDMX to VTL and from VTL to SDMX, as better explained below.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^26^^>>path:#sdfootnote26sym||name="sdfootnote26anc"]](%%)^^
++Therefore, in order to make the coding of VTL operations simpler when applied on parts of SDMX Dataflows, it is allowed to map distinct parts of a SDMX Dataflow to distinct VTL Data Sets according to the following rules and conventions. This kind of mapping is possible both from SDMX to VTL and from VTL to SDMX, as better explained below.{{footnote}}Please note that this kind of mapping is only an option at disposal of the definer of VTL Transformations; in fact it remains always possible to manipulate the needed parts of SDMX Dataflows by means of VTL operators (e.g. “sub”, “filter”, “calc”, “union” …), maintaining a mapping one-to-one between SDMX Dataflows and VTL Data Sets.{{/footnote}}
  Given a SDMX Dataflow and some predefined Dimensions of its DataStructure, it is allowed to map the subsets of observations that have the same combination of values for such Dimensions to correspondent VTL datasets.
  For example, assuming that the SDMX Dataflow DF1(1.0.0) has the Dimensions INDICATOR, TIME_PERIOD and COUNTRY, and that the user declares the Dimensions INDICATOR and COUNTRY as basis for the mapping (i.e. the mapping dimensions): the observations that have the same values for INDICATOR and COUNTRY would be mapped to the same VTL dataset (and vice-versa). In practice, this kind mapping is obtained like follows:
--* For a given SDMX Dataflow, the user (VTL definer) declares the DimensionComponents on which the mapping will be based, in a given order.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^27^^>>path:#sdfootnote27sym||name="sdfootnote27anc"]](%%)^^ Following the example above, imagine that the user declares the Dimensions INDICATOR and COUNTRY.
++* For a given SDMX Dataflow, the user (VTL definer) declares the DimensionComponents on which the mapping will be based, in a given order.{{footnote}}This definition is made through the ToVtlSubspace and ToVtlSpaceKey classes and/or the FromVtlSuperspace and FromVtlSpaceKey classes, depending on the direction of the mapping (“key” means “dimension”). The mapping of Dataflow subsets can be applied independently in the two directions, also according to different Dimensions. When no Dimension is declared for a given direction, it is assumed that the option of mapping different parts of a SDMX Dataflow to different VTL Data Sets is not used.{{/footnote}} Following the example above, imagine that the user declares the Dimensions INDICATOR and COUNTRY.
  * The VTL Data Set is given a name using a special notation also called “ordered concatenation” and composed of the following parts:
  ** The reference to the SDMX Dataflow (expressed according to the rules described in the previous paragraphs, i.e. URN, abbreviated URN or another alias); for example DF(1.0.0);
--** a slash (“/”) as a separator; ^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^28^^>>path:#sdfootnote28sym||name="sdfootnote28anc"]](%%)^^
++** a slash (“/”) as a separator;{{footnote}}As a consequence of this formalism, a slash in the name of the VTL Data Set assumes the specific meaning of separator between the name of the Dataflow and the values of some of its Dimensions.{{/footnote}}
--The reference to a specific part of the SDMX Dataflow above, expressed as the concatenation of the values that the SDMX DimensionComponents declared above must have, separated by dots (“.”) and written in the order in which these DimensionComponents are defined^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^29^^>>path:#sdfootnote29sym||name="sdfootnote29anc"]](%%)^^. For example POPULATION.USA would mean that such a VTL Data Set is mapped to the SDMX observations for which the dimension //INDICATOR// is equal to POPULATION and the dimension //COUNTRY// is equal to USA.
++The reference to a specific part of the SDMX Dataflow above, expressed as the concatenation of the values that the SDMX DimensionComponents declared above must have, separated by dots (“.”) and written in the order in which these DimensionComponents are defined{{footnote}}This is the order in which the dimensions are defined in the ToVtlSpaceKey class or in the FromVtlSpaceKey class, depending on the direction of the mapping.{{/footnote}}. For example POPULATION.USA would mean that such a VTL Data Set is mapped to the SDMX observations for which the dimension //INDICATOR// is equal to POPULATION and the dimension //COUNTRY// is equal to USA.
  In the VTL Transformations, this kind of dataset name must be referenced between single quotes because the slash (“/”) is not a regular character according to the VTL rules.
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@
  Let us now analyse the different meaning of this kind of mapping in the two mapping directions, i.e. from SDMX to VTL and from VTL to SDMX.
--As already said, the mapping from SDMX to VTL happens when the SDMX dataflows are operand of VTL Transformations, instead the mapping from VTL to SDMX happens when the VTL Data Sets that is result of Transformations^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^30^^>>path:#sdfootnote30sym||name="sdfootnote30anc"]](%%)^^ need to be treated as SDMX objects. This kind of mapping can be applied independently in the two directions and the Dimensions on which the mapping is based can be different in the two directions: these Dimensions are defined in the ToVtlSpaceKey and in the FromVtlSpaceKey classes respectively.
++As already said, the mapping from SDMX to VTL happens when the SDMX dataflows are operand of VTL Transformations, instead the mapping from VTL to SDMX happens when the VTL Data Sets that is result of Transformations{{footnote}}It should be remembered that, according to the VTL consistency rules, a given VTL dataset cannot be the result of more than one VTL Transformation.{{/footnote}} need to be treated as SDMX objects. This kind of mapping can be applied independently in the two directions and the Dimensions on which the mapping is based can be different in the two directions: these Dimensions are defined in the ToVtlSpaceKey and in the FromVtlSpaceKey classes respectively.
  First, let us see what happens in the __mapping direction from SDMX to VTL__, i.e. when parts of a SDMX Dataflow (e.g. DF1(1.0.0)) need to be mapped to distinct VTL Data Sets that are operand of some VTL Transformations.
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@
  SDMX Dataflow having INDICATOR=//INDICATORvalue //and COUNTRY=// COUNTRYvalue//. For example, the VTL dataset ‘DF1(1.0.0)/POPULATION.USA’ would contain all the observations of DF1(1.0.0) having INDICATOR = POPULATION and COUNTRY = USA.
--In order to obtain the data structure of these VTL Data Sets from the SDMX one, it is assumed that the SDMX DimensionComponents on which the mapping is based are dropped, i.e. not maintained in the VTL data structure; this is possible because their values are fixed for each one of the invoked VTL Data Sets^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^31^^>>path:#sdfootnote31sym||name="sdfootnote31anc"]](%%)^^. After that, the mapping method from SDMX to VTL specified for the Dataflow DF1(1.0.0) is applied (i.e.
++In order to obtain the data structure of these VTL Data Sets from the SDMX one, it is assumed that the SDMX DimensionComponents on which the mapping is based are dropped, i.e. not maintained in the VTL data structure; this is possible because their values are fixed for each one of the invoked VTL Data Sets{{footnote}}If these DimensionComponents would not be dropped, the various VTL Data Sets resulting from this kind of mapping would have non-matching values for the Identifiers corresponding to the mapping Dimensions (e.g. POPULATION and COUNTRY). As a consequence, taking into account that the typical binary VTL operations at dataset level (+, -, *, / and so on) are executed on the observations having matching values for the identifiers, it would not be possible to compose the resulting VTL datasets one another (e.g. it would not be possible to calculate the population ratio between USA and CANADA).{{/footnote}}. After that, the mapping method from SDMX to VTL specified for the Dataflow DF1(1.0.0) is applied (i.e.
  basic, pivot …).
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@
  … … …
--In fact the VTL operator “sub” has exactly the same behaviour. Therefore, mapping different parts of a SDMX Dataflow to different VTL Data Sets in the direction from SDMX to VTL through the ordered concatenation notation is equivalent to a proper use of the operator “**sub**” on such a Dataflow. ^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^32^^>>path:#sdfootnote32sym||name="sdfootnote32anc"]](%%)^^
++In fact the VTL operator “sub” has exactly the same behaviour. Therefore, mapping different parts of a SDMX Dataflow to different VTL Data Sets in the direction from SDMX to VTL through the ordered concatenation notation is equivalent to a proper use of the operator “**sub**” on such a Dataflow.{{footnote}}In case the ordered concatenation notation is used, the VTL Transformation described above, e.g. ‘DF1(1.0)/POPULATION.USA’ := DF1(1.0) [ sub INDICATOR=“POPULATION”, COUNTRY=“USA”], is implicitly executed. In order to test the overall compliance of the VTL program to the VTL consistency rules, it has to be considered as part of the VTL program even if it is not explicitly coded.{{/footnote}}
  In the direction from SDMX to VTL it is allowed to omit the value of one or more
@@ -474,12 +474,12 @@
  Dataflow DF2(1.0.0) having the Dimensions TIME_PERIOD, INDICATOR, and COUNTRY and that such a programmer finds it convenient to calculate separately the parts of DF2(1.0.0) that have different combinations of values for INDICATOR and COUNTRY:
--* each part is calculated as a VTL derived Data Set, result of a dedicated VTL Transformation; ^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^33^^>>path:#sdfootnote33sym||name="sdfootnote33anc"]](%%)^^
--* the data structure of all these VTL Data Sets has the TIME_PERIOD identifier and does not have the INDICATOR and COUNTRY identifiers.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^34^^>>path:#sdfootnote34sym||name="sdfootnote34anc"]](%%)^^
++* each part is calculated as a VTL derived Data Set, result of a dedicated VTL Transformation;{{footnote}}If the whole DF2(1.0) is calculated by means of just one VTL Transformation, then the mapping between the SDMX Dataflow and the corresponding VTL dataset is one-to-one and this kind of mapping (one SDMX Dataflow to many VTL datasets) does not apply.{{/footnote}}
++* the data structure of all these VTL Data Sets has the TIME_PERIOD identifier and does not have the INDICATOR and COUNTRY identifiers.{{footnote}}This is possible as each VTL dataset corresponds to one particular combination of values of INDICATOR and COUNTRY.{{/footnote}}
--Under these hypothesis, such derived VTL Data Sets can be mapped to DF2(1.0.0) by declaring the DimensionComponents INDICATOR and COUNTRY as mapping dimensions^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^35^^>>path:#sdfootnote35sym||name="sdfootnote35anc"]](%%)^^.
++Under these hypothesis, such derived VTL Data Sets can be mapped to DF2(1.0.0) by declaring the DimensionComponents INDICATOR and COUNTRY as mapping dimensions{{footnote}}The mapping dimensions are defined as FromVtlSpaceKeys of the FromVtlSuperSpace of the VtlDataflowMapping relevant to DF2(1.0).{{/footnote}}.
--The corresponding VTL Transformations, assuming that the result needs to be persistent, would be of this kind:^^ [[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^36^^>>path:#sdfootnote36sym||name="sdfootnote36anc"]](%%)^^
++The corresponding VTL Transformations, assuming that the result needs to be persistent, would be of this kind:{{footnote}}the symbol of the VTL persistent assignment is used (<-){{/footnote}}
  ‘DF2(1.0.0)/INDICATORvalue.COUNTRYvalue’ <- expression
@@ -535,9 +535,9 @@
  In other words, starting from the datasets explicitly calculated through VTL (in the example ‘DF2(1.0)/GDPPERCAPITA.USA’ and so on), the first step consists in calculating other (non-persistent) VTL datasets (in the example
--DF2bis_GDPPERCAPITA_USA and so on) by adding the identifiers INDICATOR and COUNTRY with the desired values (//INDICATORvalue// and //COUNTRYvalue)//. Finally, all these non-persistent Data Sets are united and give the final result DF2(1.0)^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^37^^>>path:#sdfootnote37sym||name="sdfootnote37anc"]](%%)^^, which can be mapped one-to-one to the homonymous SDMX Dataflow having the dimension components TIME_PERIOD, INDICATOR and COUNTRY.
++DF2bis_GDPPERCAPITA_USA and so on) by adding the identifiers INDICATOR and COUNTRY with the desired values (//INDICATORvalue// and //COUNTRYvalue)//. Finally, all these non-persistent Data Sets are united and give the final result DF2(1.0){{footnote}}The result is persistent in this example but it can be also non persistent if needed.{{/footnote}}, which can be mapped one-to-one to the homonymous SDMX Dataflow having the dimension components TIME_PERIOD, INDICATOR and COUNTRY.
--Therefore, mapping different VTL datasets having the same data structure to different parts of a SDMX Dataflow, i.e. in the direction from VTL to SDMX, through the ordered concatenation notation is equivalent to a proper use of the operators “calc” and “union” on such datasets. ^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^38^^>>path:#sdfootnote38sym||name="sdfootnote38anc"]](%%)[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^39^^>>path:#sdfootnote39sym||name="sdfootnote39anc"]](%%)^^
++Therefore, mapping different VTL datasets having the same data structure to different parts of a SDMX Dataflow, i.e. in the direction from VTL to SDMX, through the ordered concatenation notation is equivalent to a proper use of the operators “calc” and “union” on such datasets.{{footnote}}In case the ordered concatenation notation from VTL to SDMX is used, the set of Transformations described above is implicitly performed; therefore, in order to test the overall compliance of the VTL program to the VTL consistency rules, these implicit Transformations have to be considered as part of the VTL program even if they are not explicitly coded.{{/footnote}}{{footnote}}Through SDMX Constraints, it is possible to specify the values that a Component of a Dataflow can assume.{{/footnote}}
  It is worth noting that in the direction from VTL to SDMX it is mandatory to specify the value for every Dimension on which the mapping is based (in other word, in the name of the calculated VTL dataset is __not__ possible to omit the value of some of the Dimensions).
@@ -545,43 +545,42 @@
  With reference to the VTL “model for Variables and Value domains”, the following additional mappings have to be considered:
--|VTL|SDMX
--|**Data Set Component**|Although this abstraction exists in SDMX, it does not have an explicit definition and correspond to a Component (either a DimensionComponent or a Measure or a DataAttribute) belonging to one specific Dataflow^^43^^
--|**Represented Variable**|(((
++(% style="width:1170.29px" %)
++|**VTL**|(% style="width:754px" %)**SDMX**
++|**Data Set Component**|(% style="width:754px" %)Although this abstraction exists in SDMX, it does not have an explicit definition and correspond to a Component (either a DimensionComponent or a Measure or a DataAttribute) belonging to one specific Dataflow{{footnote}}Through SDMX Constraints, it is possible to specify the values that a Component of a Dataflow can assume.{{/footnote}}
++|**Represented Variable**|(% style="width:754px" %)(((
  **Concept** with a definite
  Representation
  )))
--|**Value Domain**|(((
++|**Value Domain**|(% style="width:754px" %)(((
  **Representation** (see the Structure
  Pattern in the Base Package)
  )))
--|**Enumerated Value Domain / Code List**|**Codelist**
--|**Code**|(((
++|**Enumerated Value Domain / Code List**|(% style="width:754px" %)**Codelist**
++|**Code**|(% style="width:754px" %)(((
  **Code** (for enumerated
  DimensionComponent, Measure, DataAttribute)
  )))
--|**Described Value Domain**|(((
--non-enumerated** &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Representation**
++|**Described Value Domain**|(% style="width:754px" %)(((
++non-enumerated** Representation**
  (having Facets / ExtendedFacets, see the Structure Pattern in the Base Package)
  )))
--|**Value**|Although this abstraction exists in SDMX, it does not have an explicit definition and correspond to a **Code** of a Codelist (for enumerated Representations) or
--| |(((
--to a valid **value &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(for non-enumerated** &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**
--
--Representations)
++|**Value**|(% style="width:754px" %)Although this abstraction exists in SDMX, it does not have an explicit definition and correspond to a **Code** of a Codelist (for enumerated Representations) or
++| |(% style="width:754px" %)(((
++to a valid **value **(for non-enumerated** **Representations)
  )))
--|**Value Domain Subset / Set**|This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
--|**Enumerated Value Domain Subset / Enumerated Set**|This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
--|**Described Value Domain Subset / Described Set**|This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
--|**Set list**|This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
++|**Value Domain Subset / Set**|(% style="width:754px" %)This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
++|**Enumerated Value Domain Subset / Enumerated Set**|(% style="width:754px" %)This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
++|**Described Value Domain Subset / Described Set**|(% style="width:754px" %)This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
++|**Set list**|(% style="width:754px" %)This abstraction does not exist in SDMX
  The main difference between VTL and SDMX relies on the fact that the VTL artefacts for defining subsets of Value Domains do not exist in SDMX, therefore the VTL features for referring to predefined subsets are not available in SDMX. These artefacts are the Value Domain Subset (or Set), either enumerated or described, the Set List (list of values belonging to enumerated subsets) and the Data Set Component (aimed at defining the set of values that the Component of a Data Set can take, possibly a subset of the codes of Value Domain).
--Another difference consists in the fact that all Value Domains are considered as identifiable objects in VTL either if enumerated or not, while in SDMX the Codelist (corresponding to a VTL enumerated Value Domain) is identifiable, while the SDMX non-enumerated Representation (corresponding to a VTL non-enumerated Value Domain) is not identifiable. As a consequence, the definition of the VTL Rulesets, which in VTL can refer either to enumerated or non-enumerated value domains, in SDMX can refer only to enumerated Value Domains (i.e. to SDMX Codelists). As for the mapping between VTL variables and SDMX Concepts, it should be noted that these artefacts do not coincide perfectly. In fact, the VTL variables are represented variables, defined always on the same Value Domain (“Representation” in SDMX) independently of the data set / data structure in which they appear^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^40^^>>path:#sdfootnote40sym||name="sdfootnote40anc"]](%%)^^, while the SDMX Concepts can have different Representations in different DataStructures.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^41^^>>path:#sdfootnote41sym||name="sdfootnote41anc"]](%%)^^ This means that one SDMX Concept can correspond to many VTL Variables, one for each representation the Concept has.
++Another difference consists in the fact that all Value Domains are considered as identifiable objects in VTL either if enumerated or not, while in SDMX the Codelist (corresponding to a VTL enumerated Value Domain) is identifiable, while the SDMX non-enumerated Representation (corresponding to a VTL non-enumerated Value Domain) is not identifiable. As a consequence, the definition of the VTL Rulesets, which in VTL can refer either to enumerated or non-enumerated value domains, in SDMX can refer only to enumerated Value Domains (i.e. to SDMX Codelists). As for the mapping between VTL variables and SDMX Concepts, it should be noted that these artefacts do not coincide perfectly. In fact, the VTL variables are represented variables, defined always on the same Value Domain (“Representation” in SDMX) independently of the data set / data structure in which they appear^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^40^^>>path:#sdfootnote40sym||name="sdfootnote40anc"]](%%)^^, while the SDMX Concepts can have different Representations in different DataStructures.^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^41^^>>path:#sdfootnote41sym||name="sdfootnote41anc"]](%%)^^ This means that one SDMX Concept can correspond to many VTL Variables, one for each representation the Concept has.
  Therefore, it is important to be aware that some VTL operations (for example the binary operations at data set level) are consistent only if the components having the same names in the operated VTL Data Sets have also the same representation (i.e. the same Value Domain as for VTL). For example, it is possible to obtain correct results from the VTL expression
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@
  |N|fixed number of digits used in the preceding textual representation of the month or the day
  | |
--The default conversion, either standard or customized, can be used to deduce automatically the representation of the components of the result of a VTL Transformation. In alternative, the representation of the resulting SDMX Dataflow can be given explicitly by providing its DataStructureDefinition. In other words, the representation specified in the DSD, if available, overrides any default conversion^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^42^^>>path:#sdfootnote42sym||name="sdfootnote42anc"]](%%)^^.
++The default conversion, either standard or customized, can be used to deduce automatically the representation of the components of the result of a VTL Transformation. In alternative, the representation of the resulting SDMX Dataflow can be given explicitly by providing its DataStructureDefinition. In other words, the representation specified in the DSD, if available, overrides any default conversion^^[[(% class="wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink wikiinternallink" %)^^42^^>>path:#sdfootnote42sym||name="sdfootnote42anc"]](%%)^^.
  === 12.4.5 Null Values ===