The Main Elements of SDMX

Abstract

To explain the information model underlying the SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange) standard, its building blocks, the SDMX artefacts, are first introduced. Starting with the basic elements needed to define a data structure, we then gradually add the surrounding elements, such as those used to describe a data set, build a data exchange process, or manage topic areas, actors and processes.

The conceptual world of SDMX is holistic enough to run an SDMX-based data warehouse. Two real-life examples can be found in the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Bundesbank. Of course, SDMX is also suitable for micro data, and with its multi-dimensionality and coded dimensions it provides the ideal interface for any data analysis software.

There are other standards and models apart from SDMX in statistics, some of which we briefly discuss in this chapter: the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM), Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) and eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL).