DataflowDefinition

Structure which describes, categorises and constrains the allowable content of a data set that providers will supply for different reference periods.

In SDMX, data sets are reported or disseminated according to a data flow definition. The data flow definition identifies the Data Structure Definition and may be associated with one or more Subject-Matter Domains. This facilitates the search for data according to organised category schemes.

A “Dataflow”, in this context, is an abstract concept of the data sets, i.e. a structure without any data. While a Data Structure Definition defines dimensions, attributes, measures and associated representation that comprise the valid structure of data and related metadata contained in a data set, the Dataflow definition associates a Data Structure Definition with one or more category. This gives a system the ability to state which data sets are to be reported for a given category and which data sets can be reported using the Data Structure Definition. The Dataflow definition may also have additional metadata attached, defining qualitative information and constraints on the use of the Data Structure Definition, in terms of reporting periodicity or specifying the subset of codes to be used in a dimension.