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Version 20.1 by Helena K. on 2026/06/05 12:45
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1 {{box title="**Contents**"}}
2 {{toc/}}
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5 This document is not normative but provides a detailed view of the information model on which the normative [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] specifications are based. Those new to the UML notation or to the concept of [[Data Structure Definitions>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] may wish to read the appendixes in this document as an introductory exercise.
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7 == 1.1 Related Documents ==
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9 This document is one of two documents concerned with the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. The complete set of documents is:
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11 * [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] SECTION 02 INFORMATION MODEL: UML CONCEPTUAL DESIGN (this document): This document comprises the complete definition of the information model, with the exception of the registry interfaces. It is intended for technicians wishing to understand the complete scope of the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] technical standards in a syntax neutral form.
12 * [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] SECTION 05 REGISTRY SPECIFICATION: LOGICAL INTERFACES: This document provides the logical specification for the registry interfaces, including [[subscription>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Subscription.WebHome]]/[[notification>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Notification.WebHome]], registration/submission of data and [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]], and querying.
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14 == 1.2 Modelling Technique and Diagrammatic Notes ==
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16 The modelling technique used for the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] ([[SDMX-IM>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]) is the Unified
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18 Modelling [[Language>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Language.WebHome]] (UML). An overview of the constructs of UML that are used in the SDMXIM can be found in the Appendix “A Short Guide to UML in the [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]”
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20 UML diagramming allows a class to be shown with or without the compartments for one or both of [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] and operations (sometimes called methods). In this document the operations compartment is not shown as there are no operations.
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22 [[image:1749563229253-391.png]]
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24 **Figure 1 Class with operations suppressed**
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26 In some diagrams for some classes the [[attribute>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] compartment is suppressed even though there may be some [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]]. This is deliberate and is done to aid clarity of the diagram. The method used is:
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28 * The [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] will always be present on the class diagram where the class is defined and its [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] and associations are defined.
29 * On other diagrams, such as inheritance diagrams, the [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] may be suppressed from the class for clarity.
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31 [[image:1749563243362-354.png]]
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33 **Figure 2 Class with attributes also suppressed**
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35 Note that, in any case, [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] inherited from a super class are not shown in the sub class.
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37 The following table [[structure>>doc:IMElements.structure.WebHome]] is used in the definition of the classes, [[attributes>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]], and associations.
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39 (% style="width:680.835px" %)
40 |(% style="width:129px" %)**Class**|(% style="width:226px" %)**Feature**|(% style="width:322px" %)**Description**
41 |(% style="width:129px" %)ClassName|(% style="width:226px" %) |(% style="width:322px" %)
42 |(% style="width:129px" %) |(% style="width:226px" %)attributeName|(% style="width:322px" %)
43 |(% style="width:129px" %) |(% style="width:226px" %)associationName|(% style="width:322px" %)
44 |(% style="width:129px" %) |(% style="width:226px" %)+roleName
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46 The content in the “Feature” column comprises or explains one of the following structural features of the class:
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48 * Whether it is an abstract class. Abstract classes are shown in //italic Courier// font.
49 * The superclass this class inherits from, if any.
50 * The sub classes of this class, if any.
51 * [[Attribute>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Attribute.WebHome]] – the attributeName is shown in Courier font.
52 * Association – the associationName is shown in Courier font. If the association is derived from the association between super classes, then the format is /associationName.
53 * Role – the +roleName is shown in Courier font.
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55 The Description column provides a short definition or explanation of the Class or Feature. UML class names may be used in the [[description>>doc:IMElements.description.WebHome]] and if so, they are presented in normal font with spaces between words. For example, the class [[ConceptScheme>>doc:IMElements.AnnotableArtefact.IdentifiableArtefact.NameableArtefact.VersionableArtefact.MaintainableArtefact.ItemScheme.ConceptScheme.WebHome]] will be written as [[Concept Scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]].
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57 == 1.3 Overall Functionality ==
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59 === 1.3.1 Information Model Packages ===
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61 The [[SDMX Information Model>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] ([[SDMX-IM>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]) is a conceptual metamodel from which syntax specific implementations are developed. The model is constructed as a set of functional packages which assist in the understanding, re-use and maintenance of the model.
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63 In addition to this, to aid understanding each package can be considered to be in one of three conceptual layers:
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65 the [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] Base layer comprises fundamental building blocks which are used by the Structural Definitions layer and the Reporting and Dissemination layer
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67 the Structural Definitions layer comprises the definition of the structural [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]] needed to support data and [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]] reporting and dissemination
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69 the Reporting and Dissemination layer comprises the definition of the data and [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]] containers used for reporting and dissemination
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71 In reality the layers have no implicit or explicit structural function as any package can make use of any construct in another package.
72
73 === 1.3.2 Version 1.0 ===
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75 In [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 1.0 the metamodel supported the requirements for:
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77 [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] including (domain) [[category scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Category scheme.WebHome]], ([[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]]) [[concept scheme>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Concept scheme.WebHome]], and [[code list>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Code list.WebHome]]
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79 Data and related [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]] reporting and dissemination
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81 The [[SDMX-IM>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] comprises a number of packages. These packages act as convenient compartments for the various sub models in the [[SDMX-IM>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]]. The diagram below shows the sub models of the [[SDMX-IM>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.SDMX Information Model.WebHome]] that were included in the [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 1.0 specification.
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83 [[image:image4.png]]
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85 **Figure 3: SDMX Information Model Version 1.0 package structure**
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87 === 1.3.3 Version 2.0/2.1 ===
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89 The [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 2.0/2.1 model [[extends>>doc:IMElements.extends.WebHome]] the functionality of [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 1.0. principally in the area of [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]], but also in various ways to define structures to support data analysis by systems with knowledge of cube [[type>>doc:IMElements.type.WebHome]] structures such as OLAP{{footnote}}OLAP: On line analytical processing{{/footnote}} systems. The following major constructs have been added at [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 2.0/2.1
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91 [[Metadata structure definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata structure definition.WebHome]]
92 [[Metadata set>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Metadata set.WebHome]]
93 [[Hierarchical Codelist>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Hierarchical code list.WebHome]]
94 Data and Metadata Provisioning
95 Process
96 Mapping
97 Constraints
98 Constructs supporting the Registry
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100 Furthermore, the term [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] replaces the term [[Key>>doc:IMElements.AnnotableArtefact.Key.WebHome]] Family: as both of these terms are used in various communities, they are synonymous. The term [[Data Structure Definition>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]] is used in the model and this document.
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102 [[image:image5.png]]
103
104 **Figure 4 SDMX Information Model Version 2.0/2.1 package structure**
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106 Additional constructs that are specific to a registry-based scenario can be found in the Specification of Registry Interfaces. For information these are shown on the diagram below and comprise:
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108 * [[Subscription>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Subscription.WebHome]] and [[Notification>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Notification.WebHome]]
109 * Registration
110 * Discovery
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112 Note that the data and [[metadata>>doc:IMElements.metadata.WebHome]] required for registry functions are not confined to the registry, and the registry also makes use of the other packages in the Information Model.
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114 [[image:image6.png]]
115
116 **Figure 5: SDMX Information Model Version 2.0/2.1 package structure including the registry**
117
118 === 1.3.4 Version 3.0 ===
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120 The [[version>>doc:IMElements.version.WebHome]] 3.0 model introduces changes in the way [[reference metadata>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Reference metadata.WebHome]] are handled. In addition, it includes a few more [[artefacts>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Artefact.WebHome]]. Finally, a few abstractions have been added, as shown in section “Basic Inheritance” in “Figure 11: Basic Inheritance from the Base Structures”.
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122 The IM packages are largely the same.
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124 [[image:image7.png]]
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126 **Figure 6: SDMX Information Model version 3.0 package structure**
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128 === 1.3.5 Version 3.1 ===
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130 Whilst some additional properties have been added to [[Dataflow>>doc:IMElements.AnnotableArtefact.IdentifiableArtefact.NameableArtefact.VersionableArtefact.MaintainableArtefact.StructureUsage.Dataflow.WebHome]], [[DSD>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Data structure definition.WebHome]], Data Constraint, [[SDMX>>doc:sdmx:Glossary 2\.1.Statistical data and metadata exchange.WebHome]] v3.1 does not change the high level information model, it remains as it is in Figure 6.
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132 ----
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134 {{putFootnotes/}}
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