ISO IEC 11179-4-2004 PDF

Full title and description

Information technology — Metadata registries (MDR) — Part 4: Formulation of data definitions (ISO/IEC 11179-4:2004). This part specifies requirements and recommendations for constructing clear, precise definitions for data and metadata used in metadata registries and related data-management contexts.

Abstract

ISO/IEC 11179-4:2004 addresses the semantic aspects of formulating data and metadata definitions. It gives requirements and recommendations intended to ensure definitions are concise, unambiguous, expressed in the singular, state what the concept is (not what it is not), avoid embedding definitions of other data, and remain usable for registration in metadata registries such as those specified in ISO/IEC 11179-3. The guidance is broadly applicable to developing definitions for data elements, entity types, code entries and similar constructs.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed after review).
• Publication date: July 2004.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), via ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 32.
• ICS / categories: 35.040.50 (Automatic identification and data capture techniques / Metadata registries).
• Edition / version: 2 (Second edition, 2004 — revises the 1995 edition).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO published edition length).

Key bibliographic and lifecycle facts above are based on the ISO record for ISO/IEC 11179-4:2004, which shows the 2004 second edition as the current published edition (the earlier 1995 edition was withdrawn).

Scope

Defines requirements and recommendations for the formulation of definitions for data and metadata constructs (data elements, data element concepts, entity types, attributes, code entries, XML tag semantics, etc.). The part focuses on semantics (meaning) and does not prescribe formatting of presentation; it is intended primarily to support metadata registries and to promote reusable, interoperable definitions across systems and organizations.

Key topics and requirements

• Requirements for a data definition: stated in the singular; state what the concept is (not only what it is not); be a descriptive phrase or sentence(s); contain only commonly understood abbreviations; avoid embedding definitions of other data.
• Recommendations for quality: concise, precise, unambiguous, self-contained (able to stand alone), and expressed without embedding rationale, usage notes or procedural information.
• Applicability to a range of registerable items: data elements, conceptual domains, value domains, entity types, attributes and code lists — guidance to ensure semantic clarity for registration and reuse.
• Relationship to other parts of ISO/IEC 11179 (naming/identification and registry structure): complements Part 3 (registry metamodel) and Part 5 (naming and identification principles).

Typical use and users

Used by metadata registry designers and administrators, data architects, information modelers, standards bodies, government data stewards, enterprise data governance teams, and software engineers implementing metadata-management tools. Practitioners apply its rules when authoring or reviewing data element definitions to improve clarity, interoperability and reusability.

Related standards

ISO/IEC 11179 is a multipart standard for metadata registries. Closely related parts include: Part 1 (Framework), Part 2 (Classification), Part 3 (Registry metamodel and basic attributes), Part 5 (Naming and identification principles), Part 6 (Registration), and Part 7 (Metamodel for data set registration). ISO/IEC 11179-4:2004 complements these parts by focusing on formulation of definitions.

Keywords

metadata registry, MDR, data definition, data element, semantic definition, ISO/IEC 11179, data governance, data registry, naming, identification, metadata quality.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 11179-4:2004 is Part 4 of the ISO/IEC 11179 series; it provides requirements and recommendations for formulating definitions for data and metadata that are to be registered or managed in metadata registries.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the semantic content and formulation of definitions (how to state what a data concept is), including rules (musts) and recommendations (shoulds) to ensure definitions are singular, descriptive, unambiguous, and not circular or embedded with other definitions. It does not mandate presentation or formatting.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Data architects, metadata registry implementers and administrators, data stewards, standards developers, and anyone responsible for authoring or curating data element definitions for reuse and interoperability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2004 second edition replaced the 1995 edition; ISO’s record indicates the 2004 edition has been reviewed/confirmed (ISO lifecycle reviews) and remains the published edition for Part 4. Users should verify with ISO/IEC records for any later revisions or confirmatory reviews.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO/IEC 11179 is a multipart standard for metadata registries; Part 4 is one element of that series and works together with Parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Metadata registry, data definition, data element, semantics, metadata quality, MDR, naming and identification.