Changes for page SDMX 3.1 Standards. Section 1. Framework

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@@ -288,17 +288,18 @@
  = 4 The SDMX Information Model =
++
  [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] provides a way of modelling statistical data, and defines the set of metadata constructs used for this purpose. Because [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] specifies a number of transmission formats for expressing data and [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]], the model is used as a mechanism for guaranteeing that transformation between the different formats is lossless. In this sense, all of the formats are syntax-bound expressions of the common information model.
--[[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-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 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 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.
++[[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 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, [[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.
--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 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.
++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.
--Version 2.0/2.1 introduced support for metadata related to the process aspects of statistical exchange. A step-by-step process can be modelled; information about who is providing data and [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] and how they are providing it can be expressed; and the technical aspects of service-level agreements (and similar types of [[provisioning agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]) can be represented.
++(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)Version(%%) 2.0/2.1 introduced support for metadata related to the process aspects of statistical exchange. A step-by-step process can be modelled; information about who is providing data and [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] and how they are providing it can be expressed; and the technical aspects of service-(% style="color:#e74c3c" %)level(%%) agreements (and similar types of [[provisioning agreements>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Provision agreement.WebHome]]) can be represented.
--Support for the [[Validation and Transformation Language>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] ([[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]]) in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] was introduced in the July 2020 revision of 2.1 and is retained in version 3.0 with minimal changes. This allows reusable [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] ‘programs’ (a cohesive set of transformation statements designed to be executed together) and their associated constructs such as validation rulesets and user-defined operators to be managed and exchanged as [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. Mappings between objects such as [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] referenced in [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] programs and the actual [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]] to which they relate is essential when it comes to actually executing programs, and this information can also be defined. Chapter 7 has more information on [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] and its integration with [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]].
++Support for the [[Validation and Transformation Language>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] ([[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]]) in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] was introduced in the July 2020 revision of 2.1 and is retained in (% style="color:#e74c3c" %)version(%%) 3.0 with minimal changes. This allows reusable [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] ‘programs’ (a cohesive set of transformation statements designed to be executed together) and their associated constructs such as validation rulesets and user-defined operators to be managed and exchanged as [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]]. Mappings between objects such as [[data sets>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data set.WebHome]] referenced in [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] programs and the actual [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]] to which they relate is essential when it comes to actually executing programs, and this information can also be defined. Chapter 7 has more information on [[VTL>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Validation and transformation language.WebHome]] and its integration with [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]].
  A full UML conceptual design of the information model is set out in Section 2 of the Technical Specifications.
@@ -306,6 +306,7 @@
  == 5.1 SDMX-ML ==
++
  [[SDMX-ML>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX-ML.WebHome]] is the XML transmission format specification for exchanging [[structural metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Structural metadata.WebHome]], data and [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]], and interacting with [[SDMX registry>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Registry.WebHome]] services. It is designed as a general-purpose format for all automation and data / metadata exchange tasks, and provides the most complete [[coverage>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Coverage.WebHome]].
  There are four distinct types of message: