Meeting Report
National Committee for Information Technology Standards (NCITS)
L8, Data Representation, Special Interest Group
10-11 June 1998 at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD
Attendees:
|
Bruce Bargmeyer |
EPA |
202-260-5306 |
bargmeyer.bruce@epa.gov |
|
Tim Boland |
NIST |
301-975-3608 |
frederich.boland@nist.gov |
|
Jim Carpenter |
BLS |
202-606-7536 |
CarpenterJ@bls.gov |
|
Larry Fitzwater |
EPA |
202-260-3071 |
fitzwater.larry@epa.gov |
|
John Garrett |
NASA |
301-286-3575 |
John.Garrett@ gsfc.nasa.gov |
|
Dan Gillman |
Census |
301-457-3690 |
gillman@census.gov |
|
Bruce Haberkamp |
Army |
703-614-07561 |
Haberkbw@hqda.army.mil |
|
Henry Heffernan |
EDPNS |
202-336-7208 |
Henry_heffernan@nih.gov |
|
Bill Kenworthey |
self |
301-662-3223 |
WLKIV@aol.com |
|
Judith Newton |
NIST |
301-975-3256 |
jnewton@nist.gov |
|
Douglas Mann |
Battelle |
703-575-0333 |
mannd@battelle.org |
|
John McCarthy |
LBL |
510-486-5307 |
mccarthy@mhl.lbl.gov |
|
Lou Reich |
NASA |
301-794-1859 |
louis.i.reich@gsfc.nasa.gov |
|
Burton G. Parker |
Paladin |
703-979-9499 |
Parkerbg@idsonline.com |
|
Revere D. Perkins |
Meta4 |
716-592-5565 |
Reveredp@meta4inc.com |
|
Roger L. Payne |
USGS |
703-648-4544 |
Rpayne@usgs.gov |
|
Don Sawyer |
NASA |
301-286-2748 |
donald.sawyer@gsfc.nasa.gov |
|
Andy Schoka |
Mitretek |
202-488-5702 |
schoka@mitretek.org |
|
Marilyn Slater |
DoD ES |
703-325-2208 |
Slaterm@acq.osd.mil |
|
Genevieve Speier |
HCFA |
410-786-2894 |
gspeier@hcfa.gov |
The L8 SIG meeting was held on Jun10 - 12, 1998. An L8 Plenary was held on June 12; the SIG Meeting resumed after the Plenary was adjourned.
Dan Gillman and Judith Newton chaired the L8 SIG meetings.
1. Review of SIG agenda
To help people dial into the meetings and to schedule the attendance of specialists, it is desirable to work out an agenda with times attached to topics. This will be hard to do for some of the items, but may be more straightforward for the proposed new work items.
The new JTC 1 Directives were approved at the JTC 1 Sendai meeting.
Discussed the revision as a result of the Canadian comments. Discussed the coordination of definitions among standards. We feel that definitions should be coordinated within the 11179 and X3.285. Coordinating with all of standards suggested by Canada could be addressed in new work. Dan has resolve the Part 1 definitions with the other parts as they now exist.
Dan Gillman will get it up on the NIST FTP site. Doug Mann will get, the new Part 1, Canada's comments, editors response out on the SC32 and SC32 WG2 web sites. Dan will contact Jake Knopers to get an electronic copy of Canada's comments.
Part 1 requires a FCD ballot (4 months) then a FDIS ballot (2 months).
This is out for FCD ballot and due in before the SC32 meeting. We would like to get it out by October for FDIS ballot.
5. ISO/IEC11179 Part 3 - Five year review
L8, together with Joe Christensen propose to revise Part 3, using ANSI X3.285-1998 as the base document for the revision. The definitions of X3.285 need to be validated to make sure they are complete for Part 2. At the May meeting it was suggested that Joe Christensen be the editor for the revision of Part 3. Joe has written a New Work Item proposal. See below.
NASA folks brought in some papers that TC20 SC 13 is working. These are using 11179 and 285 as a basis for registering metadata. They are interested in working with L8 on dimensionality and units--possible extensions to 11179.
All L8 folks are invited to comment on the NASA document.
ANSI was given an electronic copy of X3.285 on May 28th so that they may publish the standard.
The following new work items could become a major part of the L8 Work Plan for the coming year. We would like to work the projects at the international level, if there is sufficient international interest. The following is a brief description of potential new work items. L8 members volunteered to write discussion drafts of NWIs. We hope to discuss them at the Brisbane WG 2 meeting. The proposed new work items may be recast, clumped, split or otherwise revised before sending them out for ballot.
A discussion of new work identified the following items:
A. Revise ISO/IEC 11179, Part 3 (five year revision) with amendments to other parts of 11179 to make all parts consistent [Joe Christensen editor]
Update ISO/IEC 11179, Specification and Standardization of Data Elements, Part 3, Basic Attributes. (Part 3 is up for 5-year review next year). Related to this would be an effort to develop corrigenda or changes in the other parts of ISO/IEC 11179 to make the separately developed parts consistent between themselves and to make them consistent with the revised Part 3. This would preserve the name recognition of ISO/IEC 11179, while updating it to deal with new techniques and technologies. The recently completed ANS X3.285 incorporates virtually all of 11179, Part 3, extends the list of attributes, and presents the information in the form of a model. It includes an informative annex with translations to several popular modeling notations. This work could serve as a basis for rapidly updating Part 3. Joe Christensen is willing to become the editor for this work and prepared a draft NWI for discussion at the coming SC 32/WG 2 meeting.
B. Extend 11179 for Data Element Object Attributes [Robert Mayes & Andy Schoka draft NWI]
The basic notion of this proposal is that the current ISO/IEC 11179 covers the passive attributes of data elements, but does not address the active attributes--object behaviors and methods. This project would explore this area and update the standard to make it more useful for object-oriented system analysis, design and development. Bob Mayes and Andy Schoka will develop a discussion draft of this NWI.
C. 4. Global Information Locator Service [Eliot Christian editor]
This project will examine information technology characteristics of a next generation search interface that would further enable the deployment of a global information locator service. Within specific domains, standard mechanisms to locate information resources are being deployed, but the few cross-domain standards are protocol specific (e.g., SQL, ISO 23950). A semantically based object interface for search would further enable a global information locator service. Such a standard interface is an incremental step from current technology. The interface could be quickly applied on peer computer networks and other architectures, to the immediate benefit of the public, government, industry, and all other sectors that need information discovery and retrieval facilities
D. Extend 11179 for XML [Frank Olken, John McCarthy co-editors].
We could develop a set of metadata tags based on XML-Data and/or XML/Resource Description Framework (RDF). This could make ISO/IEC 11179 useful in the new XML enabled technologies. One goal of this effort would be to enable interaction among metadata registries. Another goal would be to enable XML applications (such as XML-EDI) to directly access metadata registries. Frank Olken and John McCarthy prepared a draft NWI for this work.
E. Metamodel issues NEC (not elsewhere classified) [Doug Mann draft NWI]
L8 has a list of issues that were not resolved during the development of X3.285. Many of these are important issues. For example, how to handle units of measure, dimensionality and units of count; how to attribute application vs. (generic, transfer, reference) data and other issues. For a list of the issues, see: xx. Doug Mann will develop a draft of this NWI for discussion at Brisbane.
F. Extend 11179 for an Object Query Service [Tom Culpeper & Harold Solbrig co-editors]
This is an object technology extension to ISO/IEC 11179 and focuses upon the need to exploit the behavior of the existing standard through a well-defined interface. This standard would specify the behavioral aspects of a data registry. The behavior is stated in the form of an interface specification better known as a Metadata Query Service. The Metadata Query Service provides a way to access the information in a data registry in a well-defined way. This interface will be a specification of the boundary of metadata registries in terms of the possible interactions and properties that are visible across the metadata registry boundary. A particular application will then be able to interoperate with another application by calling the services named in the interface.
G. Extend 11179 for Complex data [Dan Gillman editor]
The project would examine the information technology characteristics of data that are derived, aggregated, composed, or grouped from other data or that have complex structure. Current standards for data elements (ISO/IEC 11179) address the structure and attributes of data elements at the fundamental level, and the standard proposes a data element registry to store this information. A data element registry is designed to enable managing, understanding, and sharing of data over the lifetime of that data. However, much data is generated from others by means of calculation, aggregation, composition, grouping, or other derivation methods. In addition, new complex data types in multimedia and advanced scientific applications are increasingly used. The current standard does not address these complexities. As an incremental step toward a complete description of the data a registry describes, the specification of complex data will enable a deeper understanding for users of data. This deeper understanding will benefit private industry, governments, the public, and all other sectors that need to manage, understand, and share data.
H. Technical Report on Registry Content possibly with an implementation guide [Larry Fitzwater draft NWI]
The exchange of metadata between ISO/IEC 11179 metadata registries depends not only on registry software that conforms to the standard, but also on metadata contents that are compatible between registries. While the standard has provisions for data element specification and registration, there are pragmatic issues pertaining to populating the registries with content. Based on the experiences of organizations that are implementing the standard, a technical report to explore content issues could help current and future users.
Discussed the proposal to revise 11179-3 that was drafted by Joe Christensen. The proposal should be clarified to recognize the other new work item proposals for Complex data, Data Element Object Attributes. We would like to see this proposal put up on the WG 2 website.
John McCarthy presented the XML schema or RDF schema new work item request. The potential overlap with the Object Query Service was discussed. We feel these may not conflict. The SIG suggests that L8 should send the "XML Representation for Data Registry Metadata Exchange" proposal on to SC 32 WG 2. It is already posted on the WG 2 website.
Discussed the Global Information Locator Service, Service Interface new work item request. The SIG suggests that L8 should send the " Global Information Locator Service, Service Interface" proposal to SC 32 WG 2.
Discussed the Metadata Query Service new work item request. Some suggestions were made for revision. E.g., the term "ANSI" within the attachment should be removed. This version of the proposal seems to be different the "object extensions to data element metadata". This proposal addressed the OMG, CORBA, DCOM environments. Bruce will work with Tom to revise the request and then it will be passed on to WG2.
Bruce will work with all of the people writing up the NWIs and will put them on the L8 FTP site. Bruce and Doug will work with Joe Christensen to get the proposals up on the WG 2 website. These are all considered "drafts for discussion",
Andy Schoka reported that the IEEE P1489 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is going out for ballot. Part 1 is similar to the 11179-3. A Part 2 that specifies the registry will follow. There is a July 8th due date to get on the IEEE ballot group. The ballot will be issued in July with comments due back after 30 days. Andy will work get us copies for comment.
Bruce Bargmeyer led a discussion about holding another Metadata Registries Workshop. Here are topics and issues raised.
A. Purpose - Information Exchange
11179 focus and visibility with new work items
What is going on in
STEP
MS repository
W3C
OMG
Day 1 - 11179 tutorials
Day 2 - NWI topics panel presentations concurrent tracks
expert contributions (Help publicize the new work items and gain participation in development of the working drafts)
Days 3 and 4 - presentations with concurrent tracts—Issue call for presentations on 11179 topics such as implementations, use in to various application areas …
with required abstract
accept all?
put on the web
Day 4 - 1/2 Day Wrap up
B. Topics: 11179 implementations, applications and new work items
C. When: Perhaps in conjunction with next WG 2 meeting late fall or early winter.
D. Where: Outside of DC
E. Attendance: Possibly have SC32 sponsor the workshop—invite standards people, practitioners, other users, and other interested parties
F. Output: Some debate as to whether or not to prepare recommendations or other output reports
G. Web: Make full use of the web in advance of, during and after the workshop,
Bruce summarized May meeting of T2 and L8 in Pennsylvania. A discussion of the pros and cons of combining the committees. There is a worry of having to meet outside of DC, having to participate in all of the projects. The combined committee would only need to meet about three times a year, which could be accomplished by video and/or voice teleconference and perhaps one physical meeting. Having one set of officers would be an advantage. The work of the two committees is complementary and could draw additional expertise for the existing projects. If the two groups operated as SIGS under one committee, the impact of merging could be minimized.
11. Ontology Tutorial
The SIG participants attended the "Building Ontologies: An Axiomatic Approach" presentation at NIST by Michael Gruninger of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto.
12. ISO/IEC PDTR 15452 - Specification of data value domains
This was discussed on Wednesday and continued on into the Thursday Session of the SIG.
Judy made changes as recommended in the U.S. comments. Suggestions for the editing meeting were prepared.
13. PROPOSED SC32 Resolutions
A, Move 11179-1 out for FCD
B, The SIG suggests that L8 should pass the "XML Representation for Data Registry Metadata Exchange" on to SC 32 WG 2.
C, The SIG suggests that L8 should pass the " Global Information Locator Service, Service Interface" on to SC 32 WG 2.
1. NASA will feed units of measure information to aid Doug in preparing a NWI
2. Metamodel issues NEC (not elswhere classified) [Mann draft NWI]
3. Technical Report on Registry Content possibly with an implementation guide [Fitzwater draft NWI]
4. Extend 11179 for Data Element Object Attribute [Mayes & Schoka draft NWI]
5. Extend 11179 for Complex data [Gillman draft NWI]
6. Contact Jake Knopers to get an electronic copy of Canada's comments [Gillman].
15. Future meeting schedule
August 13-14, 1998 SIG at NIST
September 10-11,1998 SIG at NIST
October 14-16, 1998 SIG at NIST
October 16, 1998 Plenary at NIST
Directions to NIST North: NIST North is Building 820. The address of this building is 820 West Diamond Avenue. Note that the building is located across the street from the main campus of NIST. Instead of turning onto Bureau Drive toward the main Gate of NIST, turn the opposite direction (North) onto Bureau Drive and take the second possible right turn to get to the NIST North building, The building has the name "NIST" on it in large letters. (From Interstate 270, driving North, take Exit 10, which loops under the freeway, and then turn RIGHT at the first stop light--this is the intersection of West Diamond Avenue and Bureau drive.)
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X3L8 documents, including this meeting report, are available via Anonymous FTP from sdct-sunsrv1.ncsl.nist.gov. Change directory to X3L8 (X3L8 in lowercase letters) and check the "readme" file for details. Many of the documents are also listed on the X3L8 Home Page. The URL is http://www.lbl.gov/~olken/X3L8". If you have questions or comments on this document send email to bargmeyer.bruce@epamail.epa.gov.