Changes for page SDMX 3.1 Standards. Section 1. Framework

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@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@
  The following sections are obsolete:
--Section 3 - [[SDMX-ML>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-ML.WebHome]] - replaced by the sdmx-twg/sdmx-ml GitHub repository
++Section 3 - SDMX-ML - replaced by the sdmx-twg/sdmx-ml GitHub repository
--Section 4 - [[SDMX-EDI>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-EDI.WebHome]]
++Section 4 - SDMX-EDI
  Section 7 - API - replaced by the sdmx-twg/sdmx-rest GitHub repository [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]]
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@
  == 2.1 Major Changes from 1.0 to 2.0 ==
++*
  * **[[Reference Metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]**: In addition to describing and specifying data structures and formats (along with related [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]), the version 2.0 specification also provides for the exchange of metadata which is distinct from the [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] in the 1.0 version. This [[category>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category.WebHome]] includes “reference” metadata (regarding data quality, methodology, and similar types – it can be configured by the user to include whatever concepts require reporting); metadata related to data provisioning ([[release calendar>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Release policy - release calendar.WebHome]] information, description of the data and metadata provided, etc.); and metadata relevant to the exchange of categorization schemes.
  * **[[SDMX Registry>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Registry.WebHome]]**: Provision is made in the 2.0 standard for standard communication with registry services, to support a data-sharing model of statistical exchange. These services include registration of data and metadata, querying of registered data and metadata, and [[subscription>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Subscription.WebHome]]/[[notification>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Notification.WebHome]].
  * **[[Structural Metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]**: The support for exchange of statistical data and related [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] has been expanded. Some support is provided for qualitative data; data cube structures are described; [[hierarchical code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchical code.WebHome]] lists are supported; relationships between data structures can be expressed, providing support for extensibility of data structures; and the description of functional dependencies within cubes are supported.
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
  == 2.3 Major Changes from 2.1 to 3.0 ==
++
  [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] version 3.0 introduces new features, improvements and changes to the Standard in the following key areas:
  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HInformationModel" %)
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
  * Support for [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list extension and discriminated union of [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists
  * Improvements to structure mapping
  * Improvements to [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] [[hierarchies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] for data discovery
--* Improvements to [[constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]
++* Improvements to constraints
  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HVersioningofStructuralMetadataArtefacts" %)
  **Versioning of Structural Metadata Artefacts**
@@ -139,12 +139,12 @@
  * Addition of [[Dimension>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]] Constraint property to a [[Dataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]
  * Addition of evolving structure property to a [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]
--* Remove [[version>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Version.WebHome]] property on [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]]
--* Simplification of [[Constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]
++* Remove version property on [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]]
++* Simplification of Constraints
  ** Removal of Advanced [[Release Calendar>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Release policy - release calendar.WebHome]]
--** Removal of Role, Data [[Constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]] only restrict data that can be reported
--** Restrict [[constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]] targets to Identifiable structures (not URLs)
--** Addition of Availability [[Constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]] to define actual data
++** Removal of Role, Data Constraints only restrict data that can be reported
++** Restrict constraint targets to Identifiable structures (not URLs)
++** Addition of Availability Constraint to define actual data
  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HDocumentation" %)
  **Documentation**
@@ -176,11 +176,11 @@
  == 3.3 Statistical Data and Metadata ==
--To avoid confusion about which "data" and "metadata" are the intended content of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] formats specified here, a statement of scope is offered. Statistical "data" are sets of often numeric observations which typically have time associated with them. They are associated with a set of metadata values, representing specific concepts, which act as identifiers and descriptors of the data. These metadata values and concepts can be understood as the named [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]] of a multi-dimensional co-ordinate system, describing what is often called a "cube" of data.
++To avoid confusion about which "data" and "metadata" are the intended content of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] formats specified here, a statement of scope is offered. Statistical "data" are sets of often numeric observations which typically have time associated with them. They are associated with a set of metadata values, representing specific (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), which act as identifiers and descriptors of the data. These metadata values and (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) can be understood as the named [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]] of a multi-dimensional co-ordinate system, describing what is often called a "cube" of data.
  [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] identifies a standard technique for modelling, expressing, and understanding the structure of this multi-dimensional "cube", allowing automated processing of data from a variety of sources. This approach is widely applicable across types of data and attempts to provide the simplest and most easily comprehensible technique that will support the exchange of this broad set of data and related metadata.
--The term "metadata" is very broad indeed. A distinction can be made between “structural” metadata – those concepts used in the description and identification of statistical data and metadata – and “reference” metadata – the larger set of concepts that describe and qualify statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and processing more generally, and which are often associated not with specific observations or [[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]] of data, but with entire collections of data or even the institutions which provide that data.
++The term "metadata" is very broad indeed. A distinction can be made between “structural” metadata – those (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) used in the description and identification of statistical data and metadata – and “reference” metadata – the larger set of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) that describe and qualify statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and processing more generally, and which are often associated not with specific observations or [[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]] of data, but with entire collections of data or even the institutions which provide that data.
  The [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] provides for the structuring not only of data, but also of “reference” metadata. While these [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] structures exist independent of the data and its [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]], they are often linked. The [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] provides for the attachment of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] to any part of the data or [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]], as well as for the reporting and exchange of the [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] and its structural descriptions. This function of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards supports many aspects of data quality initiatives, allowing as it does for the exchange of metadata in its broadest sense, of which quality-related metadata is a major part.
@@ -194,13 +194,13 @@
  This document specifies the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards designed to facilitate exchanges based on any of these process patterns, and shows how [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] offers advantages in all cases. It is possible to agree bilaterally to use a standard format (such as [[SDMX-ML>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-ML.WebHome]] or [[SDMX-JSON>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-JSON.WebHome]]); it is possible for data senders in a gateway process to use a standard format for [[data exchange>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data exchange.WebHome]] with each other, or with any [[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] who agree to do so; it is possible to agree to use the full set of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards to support a common data-sharing process of exchange, whether based on an [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-conformant registry or some other architecture.
--The standards specified here specifically support a data-sharing process based on the use of central registry services. Registry services provide visibility into the data and metadata existing within the community, and support the access and use of this data and metadata by providing a set of triggers for automated processing. The data or metadata itself is not stored in a central registry – these services merely provide a useful set of metadata about the data (and additional metadata) in a known location, so that users/applications can easily locate and obtain whatever data and/or metadata is registered. The use of standards for all data, metadata, and the registry services themselves is ubiquitous, permitting a high level of automation within a data-sharing community.
++The standards specified here specifically support a data-sharing process based on the use of central registry services. Registry services provide visibility into the data and metadata existing within the community, and support the access and use of this data and metadata by providing a set of triggers for automated processing. The data or metadata itself is not stored in a central registry – these services merely provide a useful set of metadata about the data (and additional metadata) in a known location, so that users/applications can easily locate and obtain whatever data and/or metadata is registered. The use of standards for all data, metadata, and the registry services themselves is ubiquitous, permitting a high (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) of automation within a data-sharing community.
  It should be pointed out that these different process models are not mutually exclusive – a single system capable of expressing data and metadata in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-conformant formats could support all three scenarios. Different standards may be applicable to different processes (for example, many registry services interfaces are used only in a data-sharing scenario) but all have a common basis in a shared information model.
  In addition to looking at collection and reporting, it is also important to consider the dissemination of data. Data and metadata – no matter how they are exchanged between counterparties in the process of their development and creation – are all eventually supplied to an end user of some type. Often, this is through specific applications inside of institutions. But more and more frequently, data and metadata are also published on websites in various formats. The dissemination of data and its accompanying metadata on the web is a focus of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards. Standards for statistical data and metadata allow improvements in the publication of data – it becomes more easily possible to process a standard format once the data is obtained, and the data and metadata are linked together, making the comprehension and further processing of the data easier.
--In discussions of statistical data, there are many aspects of its dissemination which impact data quality: data discovery, ease of use, and [[timeliness>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Timeliness.WebHome]]. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards provide support for all of these aspects of data dissemination. Standard data formats promote ease of use, and provide links to relevant metadata. The concept of registry services means that data and metadata can more easily be discovered. [[Timeliness>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Timeliness.WebHome]] is improved throughout the data lifecycle by increases in efficiency, promoted through the availability of metadata and ease of use.
++In discussions of statistical data, there are many aspects of its dissemination which impact data quality: data discovery, ease of use, and [[timeliness>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Timeliness.WebHome]]. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] standards provide support for all of these aspects of data dissemination. Standard data formats promote ease of use, and provide links to relevant metadata. The (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) of registry services means that data and metadata can more easily be discovered. [[Timeliness>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Timeliness.WebHome]] is improved throughout the data lifecycle by increases in efficiency, promoted through the availability of metadata and ease of use.
  It is important to note that [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] is primarily focused on the //exchange// and //dissemination// of statistical data and metadata. There may also be many uses for the standard model and formats specified here in the context of internal processing of data that are not concerned with the exchange between organizations and users, however. It is felt that a clear, standard formatting of data and metadata for the purposes of exchange and dissemination can also facilitate internal processing by organizations and users, but this is not the focus of the specification.
@@ -210,42 +210,43 @@
  == 3.4 The SDMX View of Statistical Exchange ==
--Version 1.0 of ISO/TS 17369 [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] covered statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and the metadata related to the structure of these [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. This scope was useful in supporting the different models of statistical exchange ([[bilateral exchange>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Bilateral exchange.WebHome]], gateway exchange, and data-sharing) but was not by itself sufficient to support them completely. Versions 2.0 and 2.1 provide a much more complete view of statistical exchange, so that an open data-sharing model can be fully supported, and other models of exchange can be more completely automated. In order to produce technical standards that will support this increased scope, the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] provides a broader set of formal objects which describe the actors, processes, and resources within statistical exchanges.
++(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Version(%%) 1.0 of ISO/TS 17369 [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] covered statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and the metadata related to the structure of these [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. This scope was useful in supporting the different models of statistical exchange ([[bilateral exchange>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Bilateral exchange.WebHome]], gateway exchange, and data-sharing) but was not by itself sufficient to support them completely. (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Versions(%%) 2.0 and 2.1 provide a much more complete view of statistical exchange, so that an open data-sharing model can be fully supported, and other models of exchange can be more completely automated. In order to produce technical standards that will support this increased scope, the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] provides a broader set of formal objects which describe the actors, processes, and resources within statistical exchanges.
  It is important to understand the set of formal objects not only in a technical sense, but also in terms of what they represent in the real-world exchange of statistical data and metadata.
--The first version of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provided for [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] - specific statistical data reported according to a specific structure, for a specific time range - and for [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] - the metadata which describes the structure of statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. These are important objects in statistical exchanges, and are retained and enhanced in the second version of the standards in a backward-compatible form. A related object in statistical exchanges is the "[[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]" - this supports the concept of data reporting or dissemination on an ongoing basis. "[[Data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]" can be understood as [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] which are not bounded by time. Data structures are owned and maintained by agencies - in a similar fashion, [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] are owned by [[maintenance agencies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Maintenance agency.WebHome]].
++The first (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provided for [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] - specific statistical data reported according to a specific structure, for a specific time range - and for [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] - the metadata which describes the structure of statistical [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. These are important objects in statistical exchanges, and are retained and enhanced in the second (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) of the standards in a backward-compatible form. A related object in statistical exchanges is the "[[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]" - this supports the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) of data reporting or dissemination on an ongoing basis. "[[Data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]" can be understood as [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] which are not bounded by time. Data structures are owned and maintained by agencies - in a similar fashion, [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] are owned by [[maintenance agencies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Maintenance agency.WebHome]].
--[[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] allows for the publication of statistical data (and the related [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]) but also provided for the standard, systematic [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]. In version 2.1, [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] were reported independent of the statistical data.
++[[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] allows for the publication of statistical data (and the related [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]) but also provided for the standard, systematic [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]. In (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 2.1, [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] were reported independent of the statistical data.
--However, in 3.0 [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associated directly with data such as footnotes are reported as [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] of the [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. For other [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]], principally that linked to structures like “[[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]]”, [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provides reference "[[metadata sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]]", "[[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]", and "[[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]]". These objects are very similar to [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]], [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], and [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], but concern [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] rather than statistical observations. In the same way that [[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] may publish statistical data, they may also publish [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]. Metadata structural definitions are maintained by agencies in a fashion similar to the way that agencies maintain [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], the structural definitions of [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]].
++However, in 3.0 [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associated directly with data such as footnotes are reported as [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] of the [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]. For other [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]], principally that linked to structures like “(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%)”, [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provides reference "[[metadata sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]]", "[[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]", and "[[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]]". These objects are very similar to [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]], [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], and [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], but concern [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] rather than statistical observations. In the same way that [[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] may publish statistical data, they may also publish [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]. Metadata structural definitions are maintained by agencies in a fashion similar to the way that agencies maintain [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], the structural definitions of [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]].
--The structural definitions of both data and [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associate specific statistical [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] with their [[representations>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]], whether textual, coded, etc. These [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] are taken from a "[[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]" which is maintained by a specific agency. [[Concept schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] group a set of [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]], provide their definitions and names, and allow for semantic relationships to be expressed, when some [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] are specializations of others. It is possible for a single [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] to be used both for data structures - key families - and for [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] structures.
++The structural definitions of both data and [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associate specific statistical (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) with their [[representations>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]], whether textual, coded, etc. These (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) are taken from a "[[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]" which is maintained by a specific agency. [[Concept schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] group a set of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), provide their definitions and names, and allow for semantic relationships to be expressed, when some (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) are specializations of others. It is possible for a single [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] to be used both for data structures - key families - and for [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] structures.
--Inherent in any statistical exchange – and in many dissemination activities – is a concept of "service level agreement", even if this is not formalized or made explicit. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] incorporates this idea in objects termed "[[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]". [[Data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] may provide data to many different [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]. [[Data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] may incorporate data coming from more than one [[data provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]]. [[Provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] are the objects which tell you which [[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] are supplying what data to which [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]. Similarly, metadata [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] for [[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]].
++Inherent in any statistical exchange – and in many dissemination activities – is a (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) of "service (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) agreement", even if this is not formalized or made explicit. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] incorporates this idea in objects termed "[[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]". [[Data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] may provide data to many different [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]. [[Data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] may incorporate data coming from more than one [[data provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]]. [[Provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] are the objects which tell you which [[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] are supplying what data to which [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]. Similarly, metadata [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] for [[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]].
--[[Provision Agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] allow for data collection restrictions to be applied at the level of the [[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] in the context of the collection ([[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]), this set of information is termed a ‘Data [[Constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]’ in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. Additionally, in a dissemination environment, data can be queried at the level of the [[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], this can be a complete [[dataset>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] as supplied by a specific [[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] for the [[Dataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], a subset of data, or information about what data exists (Data Availability).
++[[Provision Agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] allow for data collection restrictions to be applied at the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) of the [[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] in the context of the collection ([[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]]), this set of information is termed a ‘Data (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Constraint(%%)’ in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. Additionally, in a dissemination environment, data can be queried at the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) of the [[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], this can be a complete [[dataset>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] as supplied by a specific [[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] for the [[Dataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], a subset of data, or information about what data exists (Data Availability).
  A brief summary of the objects described in the information model includes:
  * //**[[Data Set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]:**// Data is organized into discrete sets, which include particular observations for a specific period of time. A [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] can be understood as a collection of similar data, sharing a structure, which covers a fixed period of time.
--* //**[[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] ([[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], also known as Key Family in Version 2.0): **//Each [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] has a set of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. These descriptions are referred to in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] as [[Data Structure Definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], which include information about how concepts are associated with the [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]], [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]], and [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] of a data “cube,” along with information about the [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of data and related identifying and descriptive (structural) metadata. In Version 2.1, the term "Key Family" was replaced by "[[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]" ([[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]) both in XML Schemas and the Information Model. The [[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] has been modified in version 3.0 to better support microdata by providing the option to define multiple [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]] and for [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] and [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]] to take arrays of values. An optional reference to a [[Metadata Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] has also been added for describing the [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associated with the data. When reported, these [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] are included as part of the [[dataset>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]].
++* //**[[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] ([[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], also known as Key Family in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Version(%%) 2.0): **//Each [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] has a set of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. These descriptions are referred to in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] as [[Data Structure Definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], which include information about how (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) are associated with the [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]], [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]], and [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] of a data “cube,” along with information about the [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of data and related identifying and descriptive (structural) metadata. In (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Version(%%) 2.1, the term "Key Family" was replaced by "[[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]" ([[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]) both in XML Schemas and the Information Model. The [[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] has been modified in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0 to better support microdata by providing the option to define multiple [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]] and for [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] and [[measures>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Measure.WebHome]] to take arrays of values. An optional reference to a [[Metadata Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] has also been added for describing the [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] associated with the data. When reported, these [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] are included as part of the [[dataset>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]].
  * //**[[Code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list:**// [[Code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists enumerate a set of [[codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] to be used in the [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]], [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]], and other structural parts of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]. [[Codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] can be organised into simple [[hierarchies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] within a [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list, and more complex [[hierarchies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] potentially involving multiple [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists using [[hierarchy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] and [[hierarchy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] association structures.
--* //**Value list:**// Value lists introduced in version 3.0 are similar to [[codelists>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code list.WebHome]] with the exception that the items do not need to conform to the usual [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] rules for identifiable objects. That allows the values to include characters such as [[currency>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Currency.WebHome]] symbols (e.g. ¥) which would otherwise make illegal [[codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]]. However, unlike [[codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]], values are not individually identifiable. Value lists find application in concepts and [[data structures definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] for less structured data and microdata enumerations and can be mapped to other value or [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists using [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] maps.
++* //**Value list:**// Value lists introduced in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0 are similar to [[codelists>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code list.WebHome]] with the exception that the items do not need to conform to the usual [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] rules for identifiable objects. That allows the values to include characters such as [[currency>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Currency.WebHome]] symbols (e.g. ¥) which would otherwise make illegal [[codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]]. However, unlike [[codes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]], values are not individually identifiable. Value lists find application in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) and [[data structures definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] for less structured data and microdata enumerations and can be (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)mapped(%%) to other value or [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists using [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%).
  * //**Organisation Scheme:**// Organisations and organisation structure can be defined in an Organisation Scheme. Specific Organisation Schemes exist for [[Maintenance Agency>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Maintenance agency.WebHome]], [[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]], Metadata Provider, [[Data Consumer>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data consumer.WebHome]], and Organisation [[Unit>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical unit.WebHome]].
  * //**[[Category Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]] and [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]]:**// [[Category schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]] are made up of a [[hierarchy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]] of [[categories>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category.WebHome]], which in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] may include any type of useful [[classification>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical Classification.WebHome]] for the organization of data and metadata. A [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]] links a [[category>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category.WebHome]] to an identifiable object. In this way sets of objects can be categorised. A statistical subjectmatter domain scheme is implemented in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] as a [[Category Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]].
--* //**[[Concept Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]:**// A [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] is a maintained list of [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] that are used in [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]. There can be many such [[concept schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]. A “core” [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of the [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] can be specified (e.g. a core [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list, or other [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] such as “date”). Note that this core [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] can be overridden in the [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] or [[metadata structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] that uses the [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]]. Indeed, organisations wishing to remain with version 1.0 key family schema specifications will continue to declare the [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] in the key family definition.
--* //**[[Metadata Set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]]:**// A [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set is a set of information pertaining to an object within the formal [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] view of statistical exchange: they may describe the maintainers of data or structural definitions; they may describe the schedule on which data is released; they may describe the flow of a single type of data over time; they may describe the quality of data, etc. In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], the creators of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] may take whatever [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] they are concerned with, or obliged to report, and provide a [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set containing that information.
--* //**[[Metadata Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]:**// A [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set also has a set of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] which describes how it is organized. This [[metadata set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]] identifies what [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] are being reported, how these [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] relate to each other (typically as [[hierarchies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]]), what their presentational structure is, how they may be represented (as free text, as coded values, etc.), and with which formal [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] object types they are associated.
--* //**[[Dataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] Definition:**// In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] are reported or disseminated according to a [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition. The [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition identifies the [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and may be associated with one or more subject matter domains via a [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]] (this facilitates the search for data according to organised [[category schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]]). [[Constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]], in terms of reporting [[periodicity>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Frequency of observation.WebHome]] or sub set of possible keys that are allowed in a [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]], may be attached to the [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition.
++* //**[[Concept Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]:**// A [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] is a maintained list of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) that are used in [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]. There can be many such [[concept schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]. A “core” [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) can be specified (e.g. a core [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list, or other [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] such as “date”). Note that this core [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] can be overridden in the [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] or [[metadata structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] that uses the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%). Indeed, organisations wishing to remain with (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 1.0 key family schema specifications will continue to declare the [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] in the key family definition.
++*
++* //**[[Metadata Set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]]:**// A [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set is a set of information pertaining to an object within the formal [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] view of statistical exchange: they may describe the maintainers of data or structural definitions; they may describe the schedule on which data is released; they may describe the flow of a single type of data over time; they may describe the quality of data, etc. In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], the creators of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] may take whatever (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) they are concerned with, or obliged to report, and provide a [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set containing that information.
++* //**[[Metadata Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]:**// A [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] set also has a set of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] which describes how it is organized. This [[metadata set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]] identifies what [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) are being reported, how these (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) relate to each other (typically as [[hierarchies>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchy.WebHome]]), what their presentational structure is, how they may be represented (as free text, as coded values, etc.), and with which formal [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] object types they are associated.
++* //**[[Dataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] Definition:**// In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] are reported or disseminated according to a [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition. The [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition identifies the [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and may be associated with one or more subject matter domains via a [[Categorisation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Categorisation.WebHome]] (this facilitates the search for data according to organised [[category schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]]). (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Constraints(%%), in terms of reporting [[periodicity>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Frequency of observation.WebHome]] or sub set of possible keys that are allowed in a [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]], may be attached to the [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition.
  * //**[[Metadataflow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]] Definition:**// A [[metadata flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]] definition is very similar to a [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definition, but describes, categorises, and constrains [[metadata sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]].
  * //**[[Data Provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]]: **//An organization which produces data is termed a [[data provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]].
  * //**Metadata Provider: **//An organization which produces [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] is termed a metadata provider.
--* //**[[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] (Metadata [[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]):**// The set of information which describes the way in which [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and [[metadata sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]] are provided by a data/metadata provider. A [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] can be constrained in much the same way as a data or [[metadata flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]] definition. Thus, a [[data provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] can express the fact that it provides a particular [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] covering a specific set of countries and topics, Importantly, the actual source of registered data or metadata is attached to the [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] (in terms of a URL). The term “agreement” is used because this information can be understood as the basis of a “service-level agreement”. In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], however, this is informational metadata to support the technical systems, as opposed to any sort of contractual information (which is outside the scope of a technical specification). In (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0, metadata [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] and data [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] are two separate [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]].
--* //**Data [[Constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]:**// Used to restrict content (such as enumerations) and are used by [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] in order to provide a set of reporting restrictions in the context of a collection
--* //**Metadata [[Constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]:**// Used to restrict content (such as enumerations) and are used by metadata [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], [[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]], [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] in order to provide a set of reporting restrictions in the context of a collection
--* //**Available Data [[Constraint>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]]:**// Used to report the set of [[Component>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] values that have data reported against them in the context of a Data Query. This structure allows a user to know what valid filters can be applied to a cube of data, such that the resulting cube will contain data.
--* //**Structure Map: **//Structure maps describes a mapping between [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] or [[dataflows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] for the purpose of transforming a [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] into a different structure. The mapping rules are defined using one or more [[component>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) which each (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) in turn describes how one or more [[components>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] from the source [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) to one or more [[components>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] in that of the target. Represent (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) act as lookup tables and specific provision is made for mapping dates and times.
++* //**[[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] (Metadata [[Provision Agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]):**// The set of information which describes the way in which [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] and [[metadata sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]] are provided by a data/metadata provider. A [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] can be constrained in much the same way as a data or [[metadata flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]] definition. Thus, a [[data provider>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]] can express the fact that it provides a particular [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] covering a specific set of countries and topics, Importantly, the actual source of registered data or metadata is attached to the [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] (in terms of a URL). The term “agreement” is used because this information can be understood as the basis of a “service-(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) agreement”. In [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]], however, this is informational metadata to support the technical systems, as opposed to any sort of contractual information (which is outside the scope of a technical specification). In (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0, metadata [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] and data [[provision agreement>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]] are two separate [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]].
++* //**Data (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Constraint(%%):**// Used to restrict content (such as enumerations) and are used by [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], [[data flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] in order to provide a set of reporting restrictions in the context of a collection
++* //**Metadata (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Constraint(%%):**// Used to restrict content (such as enumerations) and are used by metadata [[provision agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], [[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]], [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]] in order to provide a set of reporting restrictions in the context of a collection
++* //**Available Data (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Constraint(%%):**// Used to report the set of [[Component>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] values that have data reported against them in the context of a Data Query. This structure allows a user to know what valid filters can be applied to a cube of data, such that the resulting cube will contain data.
++* //**Structure (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Map(%%): **//Structure (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) describes a mapping between [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] or [[dataflows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] for the purpose of transforming a [[data set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] into a different structure. The mapping rules are defined using one or more [[component>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) which each (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) in turn describes how one or more [[components>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] from the source [[data structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) to one or more [[components>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Component.WebHome]] in that of the target. Represent (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) act as lookup tables and specific provision is made for mapping dates and times.
  * //**[[Representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Map(%%):**// [[Representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) describe mappings between source value(s) and target value(s) where the values are restricted to those in a [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] list, value list or be of a certain type such as integer or string.
  * //**[[Item Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Item scheme.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Map(%%):**// An [[item scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Item scheme.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) describes mapping rules between any [[item scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Item scheme.WebHome]] with the exception of [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists and value lists which use [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%). The (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0 information model provides four [[item scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Item scheme.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%): organisation scheme (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%), [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%), [[category scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) and [[reporting taxonomy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reporting taxonomy.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%). Organisation scheme (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) and reporting scheme (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)map(%%) have been omitted from the information model schematic in Figure 1.
  * //**[[Reporting Taxonomy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reporting taxonomy.WebHome]]: **//A [[reporting taxonomy>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reporting taxonomy.WebHome]] allows an organisation to link (possibly in a hierarchical way) a number of cube or [[data flow>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]] definitions which together form a complete “report” of data or metadata. This supports primary reporting which often comprises multiple cubes of heterogeneous data, but may also support other collection and reporting functions. It also supports the specification of publications such as a yearbook, in terms of the data or metadata contained in the publication.
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
  [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] recognizes that statistical data is structured; in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] this structure is termed a [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]. “[[Data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]]” are made up of one or more lower-(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) “groups”, based on their degrees of similarity. Each group is in turn comprised of one or more “[[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]]” of data. Each [[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]] or section has a “key” - values for each of a cluster of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), also called "[[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]]" - which identifies it, and one or more “observations”, which typically combine the time of the observation, and the value of the observation (e.g., measurement). Additionally, metadata may be attached at any (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) of this structure as descriptive “[[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]]”. [[Code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists (enumerations) and other patterns for [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] of data and metadata are also modelled.
--There is some similarity between “cube” structures commonly used to process statistical data, and the [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] idea in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. It is important to note that the data as structured according to the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] is optimized for exchange, potentially with partners who may have no ability to process a “cube” of data coming from complex statistical systems. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[time series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]] can be understood as “slices” of the cube. Such a slice is identified by its key. A "[[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]]" key consists of the values for all [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]] specified by the key family except time. Thus, it is possible to reconstruct and describe data cubes from [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-structured data, and to exchange such databases using the interfaces and formats provided for that purpose in the standard. Additional objects such as [[hierarchical code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchical code.WebHome]] lists, [[constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]] and structure (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) make it possible to more fully model the structure of cubes.
++There is some similarity between “cube” structures commonly used to process statistical data, and the [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] idea in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. It is important to note that the data as structured according to the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] is optimized for exchange, potentially with partners who may have no ability to process a “cube” of data coming from complex statistical systems. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[time series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]] can be understood as “slices” of the cube. Such a slice is identified by its key. A "[[series>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Series.WebHome]]" key consists of the values for all [[dimensions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dimension.WebHome]] specified by the key family except time. Thus, it is possible to reconstruct and describe data cubes from [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-structured data, and to exchange such databases using the interfaces and formats provided for that purpose in the standard. Additional objects such as [[hierarchical code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchical code.WebHome]] lists, (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)constraints(%%) and structure (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%) make it possible to more fully model the structure of cubes.
  The information model also provides a view of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]: a mechanism for referencing the meaningful “objects” within the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] view of statistical exchange processes ([[data providers>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data provider.WebHome]], structures, [[provisioning agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]], [[dataflows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Dataflow.WebHome]], [[metadata flows>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadataflow.WebHome]], etc.) to which metadata is attached; a mechanism for describing a set of meaningful (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), of organizing them into a presentational structure, and of indicating how their values are represented. This is based on a simple, hierarchical view of [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] which is common to many metadata systems and [[classification>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical Classification.WebHome]]/categorization schemes. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provides a model (and XML and JSON formats) for both describing [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] structures, and of reporting [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] according to those structures.
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
  There are four distinct types of message:
--1. //**Structure Definition**~:// For the exchange of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. A [[SDMX-ML>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-ML.WebHome]] structure message can carry details of any number and combination of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]] like DSDs, [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists and [[constraints>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Constraint.WebHome]].
++1. //**Structure Definition**~:// For the exchange of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. A [[SDMX-ML>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-ML.WebHome]] structure message can carry details of any number and combination of [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]] [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]] like DSDs, [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists and (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)constraints(%%).
 . //**Structure-specific Data**~:// For the exchange of data. This format is specific to the [[Data Structure Definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] of the [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] (in other terms, it is [[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]]-specific) and is created by following mappings between the metadata constructs defined in the Structure Definition message and the technical specification of the format. It supports the exchange of large [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] in XML format, provides strict validation of conformance with the [[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] using a generic XML parser, and supports the transmission of partial [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] ([[incremental updates>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Incremental update.WebHome]]) as well as whole [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]].
  Many XML tools and technologies have expectations about the functions performed by an XML schema, one of which is a very direct relationship between the XML constructs described in the XML schema and the tagged data in the XML instance. Strong data typing is also considered normal, supporting full validation of the tagged data. These message types are designed to support validation and other expected XML schema functions.
@@ -366,29 +366,29 @@
  = 6 Dependencies on SDMX content-oriented guidelines =
--The technical standards proposed here are designed so that they can be used in conjunction with other [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] guidelines which are more closely tied to the content and semantics of statistical [[data exchange>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data exchange.WebHome]]. The [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] works equally well with any statistical concept, but to encourage interoperability, it is also necessary to standardize and harmonize the use of specific concepts and terminology. To achieve this goal, [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] creates and maintains guidelines for [[cross-domain concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]], terminology, and structural definitions. There are three major parts to this effort.
++The technical standards proposed here are designed so that they can be used in conjunction with other [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] guidelines which are more closely tied to the content and semantics of statistical [[data exchange>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data exchange.WebHome]]. The [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] works equally well with any statistical (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%), but to encourage interoperability, it is also necessary to standardize and harmonize the use of specific (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) and terminology. To achieve this goal, [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] creates and maintains guidelines for [[cross-domain concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]], terminology, and structural definitions. There are three major parts to this effort.
  == 6.1 Cross-Domain Concepts ==
--The [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Cross-Domain Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]] is a content guideline concerning [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] which are used across [[statistical domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]]. This list is expected to grow and to be subject to revision as [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] is used in a growing number of domains. The use of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Cross-Domain Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]], where appropriate, provides a framework to further promote interoperability among organisations using the technical standards presented here. The harmonization of statistical [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] includes not only the definitions of the [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]], and their names, but also, where appropriate, their [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] with standard [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists, and the role they play within [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]].
++The [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Cross-Domain Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]] is a content guideline concerning (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) which are used across [[statistical domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]]. This list is expected to grow and to be subject to revision as [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] is used in a growing number of domains. The use of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Cross-Domain Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]], where appropriate, provides a framework to further promote interoperability among organisations using the technical standards presented here. The harmonization of statistical (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) includes not only the definitions of the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), and their names, but also, where appropriate, their [[representation>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Representation.WebHome]] with standard [[code>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code.WebHome]] lists, and the role they play within [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and [[metadata structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]].
--The intent of this guideline is two-fold: to provide a core set of [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] which can be used to structure statistical data and metadata, to promote interoperability between systems (“[[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]”, as described above); and to promote the exchange of metadata more widely, with a set of harmonized [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] names and definitions for other types of metadata (“[[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]”, as defined above.)
++The intent of this guideline is two-fold: to provide a core set of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) which can be used to structure statistical data and metadata, to promote interoperability between systems (“[[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]”, as described above); and to promote the exchange of metadata more widely, with a set of harmonized (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) names and definitions for other types of metadata (“[[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]]”, as defined above.)
  == 6.2 Metadata Common Vocabulary ==
--The Metadata Common Vocabulary is an [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] guideline which provides definition of terms to be used for the comparison and mapping of terminology found in [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and in other aspects of statistical metadata management. Essentially, it provides ISOcompliant definitions for a wide range of statistical terms, which may be used directly, or against which other terminology systems may be mapped. This set of terms is inclusive of the terminology used within the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Technical Standards.
++The Metadata Common Vocabulary is an [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] guideline which provides definition of terms to be used for the comparison and mapping of terminology found in [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] and in other aspects of statistical metadata management. Essentially, it provides ISOcompliant definitions for a wide range of statistical terms, which may be used directly, or against which other terminology systems may be (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)mapped(%%). This set of terms is inclusive of the terminology used within the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Technical Standards.
--The MCV provides definitions for terms on which the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Cross-Domain Metadata [[Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] work is built.
++The MCV provides definitions for terms on which the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Cross-Domain Metadata (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Concepts(%%) work is built.
  == 6.3 Statistical Subject-Matter Domains ==
--The [[Statistical Subject-Matter Domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]] is a listing of the breadth of statistical information for the purposes of organizing widespread statistical exchange and categorization. It acts as a standard scheme against which the categorization schemes of various counterparties can be mapped, to facilitate interoperable data and metadata exchange. It serves another useful purpose, however, which is to allow an organization of corresponding “domain groups”, each of which could define standard [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]], etc. within their domains. Such groups already exist within the international community. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] would use the [[Statistical Subject-Matter Domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]] list to facilitate the efforts of these groups to develop the kinds of content standards which could support the interoperation of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-conformant technical systems within and across [[statistical domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]]. The organisation of the content of such schemes is supported in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] as a [[Category Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]].
++The [[Statistical Subject-Matter Domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]] is a listing of the breadth of statistical information for the purposes of organizing widespread statistical exchange and categorization. It acts as a standard scheme against which the categorization schemes of various counterparties can be (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)mapped(%%), to facilitate interoperable data and metadata exchange. It serves another useful purpose, however, which is to allow an organization of corresponding “domain groups”, each of which could define standard [[data structure definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%), etc. within their domains. Such groups already exist within the international community. [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] would use the [[Statistical Subject-Matter Domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]] list to facilitate the efforts of these groups to develop the kinds of content standards which could support the interoperation of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]]-conformant technical systems within and across [[statistical domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]]. The organisation of the content of such schemes is supported in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] as a [[Category Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]].
  [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Statistical Subject-Matter Domains>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical subject-matter domain.WebHome]] will be listed and maintained by the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Initiative and will be subject to [[adjustment>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Adjustment.WebHome]].
  == 6.4 SDMX Concept Roles ==
--These guidelines define the standard set of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] Roles and their use. This set of standard [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] are implemented as a [[cross-domain Concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]] Scheme that defines the set of [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] roles and gives examples on [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] role implementation in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 2.0, 2.1 and 3.0. A [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] role gives a particular context to a [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] for easy and systematic interpretation by machine processing and visualization tools. For example, the [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] REPORTING_AREA and COUNTERPART_AREA are different [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] but they are both geographical characteristics, therefore they can be associated with the same [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] role ID: "GEO". This allows visualization systems to interpret these [[concepts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] as geographical data in order to generate [[maps>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Map.WebHome]]. The implementation of [[concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] roles is different in [[versions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Version.WebHome]] 2.0 and 2.1/3.0 of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] technical standard. Specifically for [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 3.0, this set of roles is considered a normative list that must be interpreted in the same way by all organisations. Additional roles may be provided via the standard roles’ mechanism in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 3.0, i.e., via [[Concept Schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]; the semantics of these roles have to be agreed bilateraly in [[data exchanges>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data exchange.WebHome]]. The [[Concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept.WebHome]] Roles are available as an [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Concept Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] on the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Global Registry>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Global registry.WebHome]].
++These guidelines define the standard set of [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Concept(%%) Roles and their use. This set of standard [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Concepts(%%) are implemented as a [[cross-domain Concept>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Cross-domain concept.WebHome]] Scheme that defines the set of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) roles and gives examples on (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) role implementation in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 2.0, 2.1 and 3.0. A (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) role gives a particular context to a (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) for easy and systematic interpretation by machine processing and visualization tools. For example, the (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) REPORTING_AREA and COUNTERPART_AREA are different (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) but they are both geographical characteristics, therefore they can be associated with the same (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) role ID: "GEO". This allows visualization systems to interpret these (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concepts(%%) as geographical data in order to generate (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)maps(%%). The implementation of (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)concept(%%) roles is different in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)versions(%%) 2.0 and 2.1/3.0 of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] technical standard. Specifically for [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 3.0, this set of roles is considered a normative list that must be interpreted in the same way by all organisations. Additional roles may be provided via the standard roles’ mechanism in [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] 3.0, i.e., via [[Concept Schemes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]]; the semantics of these roles have to be agreed bilateraly in [[data exchanges>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data exchange.WebHome]]. The (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Concept(%%) Roles are available as an [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Concept Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]] on the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[Global Registry>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Global registry.WebHome]].
  = 7 Validation and Transformation Language =