The original objective of the Accession Subgroup was the definition of a general collection database schema. Several detailed models have been published (some of them by subgroup members), so that further pursuing this task was deemed unnecessary. The models show that we have achieved a high level of insight into our problem domain. The subgroup is now working on a new target, the definition of limited query profile for biological collections.
Service: Method in programming language used in the interaction of clients and servers. UseCase in UML
Metadata: The group agreed not not use this term, or to define it where used.
Points of access: Equivalent to fields or calculated fields which can be used in a query. The definition of Access Point should include name, semantics, loose type description)
Schema: Structure of the data returned as the result of the database operation.
Profile: Set of access points with their available operators and terms (legal combination of operators) plus the schema and some parts of service descriptions, e.g. those referring to state indication or authentication.
The over-all scope of this task does include many of the subjects tackled by other subgroups (e.g. names, geography), so it can serve as a test bed for a larger profile encompassing the other activities of TDWG. However, for the time being a concise Query Profile should be developed which
A document outlining the profile as a recommendation to the community will be developed. The profile definition will be based on existing exchange standards and profiles.
March 15-16, 2001 was agreed as a tentative date for a workshop to be held by a core group of people active in current collection data exchange projects.
To index page. Contact: Walter G. Berendsohn, subgroup convener, wgb@zedat.fu-berlin.de. This page last updated Dec. 4, 2000.