Shawn Jones INDUS Corporation January 18, 2000 Open Forum on Metadata Registries Santa Fe, NM SDC JE-2029

Presentation Overview 1. Purpose of metadata registry freeware and shareware 2. Basis for design 3. Planned functionality 4. Development and release life cycle 5. Software release schedule

SDC JE-2029Charter l Design and build a data element metadata registry, based upon the current version of the ISO l Foster exchange of metadata between organizations l Encourage reuse of standard data elements and value domains….

SDC JE-2029 Purpose of the Standard l Specification of data elements by documenting relevant characteristics to ensure representation is consistent and accurate l Specified and standardized data enhances its usefulness and shareability The need for the standard itself as expressed in , Framework for Specification and Standardization of Data Elements: Purpose

SDC JE-2029 Metadata Registry Uses l Tool for managing shareable data element metadata and value domains l Comprehensive, authoritative source of reference information about data l Supports standards-setting process by recording and disseminating data standards l Facilitates data sharing among organizations and users l Helps data users to better understand the meaning of data Purpose

SDC JE-2029 Purpose of the Software l “IT-enable” the Standard u Create a metadata registry database that is an implementation of the metamodel u Build in functionality of metadata exchange with compatible registries Basis for Design

SDC JE-2029 Design Basis Basis for Design Relational interpretation of the conceptual model (Unified Modeling Language [UML]) for a metadata registry.

SDC JE-2029 Data Element Conceptual domain Data Element Concept Classification Scheme Character Set Context Datatype Input Set Language Object Class Property Metadata Registry Database Model Components Unit of Quantity Rule Representation Class Reference Document Value Domain Value Meaning Permissible Value Organization Person Role Basis for Design

SDC JE-2029 Metadata Registry Program Functionality l Data Maintenance (entry, update, delete) l Data Reporting (on screen, printed) l Data export and import from compatible file structure (flat files) l Maintenance of database integrity Planned Functionality

SDC JE-2029 Metadata Registry Functionality (continued) l Hosted software–user identification and password protection l Help files, including content guidance in a future release l Distributable software–open system design, enabling users to customize to meet their needs l Future version will have an interface with a semantic management tool to use terms to classify objects Planned Functionality

SDC JE-2029 Metadata Registry Software– Two Flavors Planned Functionality l A distributable metadata registry will be designed as an MS-Access database l A hosted metadata registry will be designed to operate on a UNIX server with data access and data maintenance functions available over the Internet

SDC JE-2029 Distributable Registry l MS Access 97 l Designed for use on standalone PC systems l Distributed as an Access database (.mdb) file l Designed and documented Oracle Designer l User documentation will be in the form of a Help file l Users will be required to have MS Access 97 installed on their PCs and to have some knowledge of database management systems to load and use the software Planned Functionality

SDC JE-2029 Hosted Registry l Available for public use over the Internet for browsing, searching, reporting, and downloading l Secure Internet interface enabling password-protected data entry, update, and delete, and other reporting capabilities l Will be based on Oracle DBMS, Version Planned Functionality

SDC JE-2029 Hosted Registry (continued) l Host UNIX platform will be at EPA’s National Computer Center at Research Triangle Park, NC l System support provided by EPA NTSD l Developed using Oracle Designer and Oracle Developer Planned Functionality

SDC JE-2029 Plans for System Releases l Incremental development l Model to remain stable l Enhancements to functionality of freeware available from EDR Website l Hosted registry and freeware design will continue to be compatible to ensure metadata exchange capability Development and Release Life Cycle

SDC JE-2029Availability l Initial versions (Beta) expected spring 2000 l Freeware available as downloadable file from the EPA’s EDR Website ( l Hosted software available through agreement with the EPA Software Release Schedule

SDC JE-2029 Questions?????