Data or Metadataflow

Overview

A Dataflow represents a Data Set.

While a Data Structure Definition defines Dimensions, Attributes, Measures and associated representation that comprise the valid structure of data and related metadata of Data Sets of a particular class, a Dataflow is a specific Data Set instance.

This decoupling of Data Structure Definitions from Dataflows makes them reusable. A Data Structure Definition for health data may be used by many different organisations and countries to create Dataflows for their own local health Data Sets. The European Central Bank (ECB) have a Balance Sheet Items DSD which is referenced by three Dataflows: Balance Sheet Items; Balance Sheet Items Statistics (tables 2 to 5 of the Blue Book), Key euro area indicators (BSI).

Data is disseminated against a Dataflow and must conform to the template defined by the DSD that the Dataflow references.

Data is also reported (indirectly) against a Dataflow, so it is possible to impose different restrictions on difference Dataflows using Constraints.

Structure Properties

Structure Type	Standard SDMX Structural Metadata Artefact
Maintainable	Yes
Identifiable	Yes
Item Scheme	No
SDMX Information Model Versions	2.0, 2.1, 3.0
URN - datastructure.Dataflow namespace	urn:sdmx:org.sdmx.infomodel.datastructure.Dataflow.

Context within the SDMX 2.1 Information Model

Usage

In conjunction with a Provision Agreement, data can be loaded and validated against the concepts and rules and restrictions as defined in its Data Structure. A Dataflow may also have additional restrictions applied by virtue of any Content Constraints.

Conventions

Dataflow IDs IDs are conventionally uppercase using underscores '_' as separators if required. Examples:

Agency	Concept Scheme ID	Description	SDMX-ML
ESTAT	NAREG_T1200_A	NA Regional Statistics	SDMX-ML
IAEG-SDGs	DF_SDG_GLC	SDG Country Global Dataflow	SDMX-ML