ISO/IEC 10027:1990
(Main)Information technology — Information Resource Dictionary System (IRDS) framework
Information technology — Information Resource Dictionary System (IRDS) framework
Technologies de l'information — Cadre pour le gestionnaire de ressources du système d'information (IRDS)
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISOIIEC
STANDARD 10027
First edition
1990-06-15
Information technology - Information Resource
Dictionary System (IRDS) framework
Cadre pour Ie gestionnaire de ressources du
Technologies de En forma tion -
s ys t&me d’7nforma tion ORDSJ
Reference number
ISOAEC 10027 : 1990 (EI
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ISOAEC 10027 : 1990 (E)
Table of Contents
Page
1
1 scope
1
2 Normative References
1
3 Definitions
2
4 Conventions
The Structure of the IRDS Standards
5
51 . Purpose of the IRDS Standards
52 . The IRDS family of Standards
53 . Support for different fields of application
54 . Means of support using International Standards
IRDS Data Content
6
5
. Data Levels
61
5
62 . Concept of types and instances
5
63 . Data Containers
6
Identification of Data Levels
64 .
8
Level Pairs
65 .
9
. Role of data modelling facilities
66
10
. Extensibility
67
10
IRDS facilities
7
10
Classification of IRDS facilities
71 .
10
General database management facilities
72 .
10
Facilities specific to information resource management
73 .
11
8 RDS Interfhces
11
81 . Positioning of Interfaces
12
82 . IRDS Interfaces Overview
12
83 . Description of Intetiaces
14
84 . Use of IRDS Services by Database Services
14
85 . Export and Import of IRDS Data
14
86 . Remote IRDS Access
15
87 . Services Provided at Interfaces
15
Confarmance
9
0 ISO/IEC 1990
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Printed in Switzerland
ii
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ISO/IECl0027:1990(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International
Electrotechnical Commission) form the specialized System for worldwide standardiz-
ation. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC participate in the development
of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective
organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical
committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the
work.
In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical
committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1. Draft International Standards adopted by the joint
technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 070 of the national bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard ISOAEC 10027 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISOAEC JTC 1, Information technoIogy.
International Standard ISOAEC 10027 is one of a series of International Standards on
Information Resource Dictionary Systems.
. . .
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEClO027:l990(E)
Information technology i Information Resource Dictionary
System (IRDS) framework
1 Scope 3.1.1 real System.
Terms originally defined in ISO 7498
This International Standard describes the framework for a 3.2
number of International Standards that specify a specialised and adapted for use in this International
information System, called an Information Resource Standard
Dictionary System (IRDS). An IRDS is used to control and
The following terms were originally defined and used in the
document an enterprise’s information resources.
OS1 Reference Model and other OS1 International Standards.
This International Standard defines the data levels relevant Their use in this IRDS Framework is based on that in the
to an IRDS. It defines the IRDS interfaces which are OS1 International Standards, but a revised definition is
prescribed by other International Standards in the IRDS prefened.
family of Standards. It also defines the kinds of data content
Some terms are prefixed in OS1 with “(N)-” to indicate the
that are prescribed by other International Standards in the
layer. Since the IRDS Framework does not have a formal
family.
layer concept the prefix is omitted.
2 Normative references
3.2.1 server: A role filled by a processor when it
The following International Standards contain provisions provides services to another processor.
which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions
3.2.2 Service: A capability provided by a processor
of this International Standard. At the time of publication,
to other processors.
the editions indicated were valid. All International
Standards are subject to revision, and Parties to agreements
3.3 Terms defined in this International
based on this International Standard are encouraged to
Standard
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent
editions of the International Standards listed below.
For the purpose of this International Standard the following
Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently
terms apply.
valid International Standards.
3.3.1 access control: A capability to restritt the
ISO 7498 : 1984, Information processing Systems - Open
use of Services accessing data to users who have been
Systems Interconnection - Basic Reference Model.
previously authorised.
ISO/IEC 9075: 1989 Information processing Systems
application level: The data level on which
3.3.2
Database Language SQL with integrity enhancement.
instances of application data are recorded.
3 Definitions
3.3.3 application level pair: The term used to
describe both the application level and its Schema at the
Definitions in this clause are those IRDS definitions used
IRD level.
in this Framework. These definitions are referenced in other
International Standards where they are used. Further
3.3.4 application Schema: A set of definitions
International Standards may define additional terminology.
which control what may exist at any time in an
application. .
When each term listed in this clause is introduced in a later
clause of this International Standard, it is printed in bold A process of checking that
3.3.5 auditing:
previously made changes to a collection of data have been
tYPe*
made correctly and by an appropriately authorised user at an
Term defined in ISO 7498 and used in
3.1
appropriate time.
this International Standard
3.3.6 client: A user requesting the Services provided
The following term is defined and used in the OS1 Reference
at an interface of a server.
Model. It is used in the same way in this IRDS
Framework International Standard.
3.3.7 constraint: A Statement of one or more valid
states of some part of a database, based on the conditions
which values in the database must satisfy at any time.
3.3.8 data Container: A conceptual area of storage
in which data instances tan be recorded.
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ISO/IECl0027:l990(E)
3.3.9 data level: A stratum in a multi-level data 3.3.28 level pair: Two adjacent data levels, the upper
architecture on which objects may be recorded conforming level of which will always contain’ the “type” information
to a type definition on the next higher data level. relevant to the “instances” on the lower level.
3.3.10 data modelling facility: A set of data 3.3.29 life cycle: A conceptual framework used to
structuring rules and an associated set of data manipulation trace the evolution of objects over time.
rules.
3.3.30 life cycle Phase: A sub-division of a life
3.3.11 database: A collection of interrelated data cycle.
stored together with controlled redundancy according to a
3.3.3 1 partition: A logical sub-set of the objects in
schema to serve one or more applications.
either an IRD or an IRD Definition.
3.3.12 database integrity: The consistency of a
3.3.32 processor: An abstract conceptualisation of
collection of data in a database.
an executable piece of Code.
3.3.13 export: The function of extracting information
3.3.33 Status of dictionary content: A Status of
from an IRDS and packaging it to an export/import file.
a collection of data in a dictionary indicating whether the
3.3.14 export/import file: A file created by an data may be freely modified, not modified, or is regarded as
export function and accepted by an import function. archhd.
3.3.15 import: The function of receiving data from an 3.3.34 storage mediu m: A device on which data of
expoimport file into an IRDS. any kind may be recorded.
3.3.16 Information Resource Dictionary 3.3.35 User: A person or an application program
(IRD): A part of a repository managed by an IRDS in which requests services for data management.
which the information resources of an enterprise may be
3.3.36 value: An abstraction with a Single
characteristic which tan be compared with other values, and
3.3.17 Information Resource Dictionary may be represented by an encoding of the value.
System (IRDS): A Software product which maintains
4 Conventions
IRDs and IRD defmitions.
Processors
4.1
3.3.18 information resource management: The
task of maintaining and controlling information processing
This International Standard contains diagrams illustrating
Systems.
the processors and interfaces prescribed by the Standard.
3.3.19 interface: A defined set of Services made
an abstract conceptualisation of an
A processor is
available by a processor.
executable piece of Code.
3.3.20 IRD definition: A set of objects which
named icon as illustrated
Esch processor represented
bY a
collectively defines the data which may be held in an IRD.
in figure 1.
3.3.21 IRD definition level: The data level at
which potential IRDS content is defined.
Processor
3.3.22 IRD definition level pair: The term used
’ Name
to describe both the IRD definition level and its Schema at
the IRD Definition Schema level.
D
3.3.23 IRD definition Schema: A set of
Figure 1 - Notation for a processor and its
definitions which control what may exist at any time in an
interface
IRD definition.
The name in the icon is the name of the processor.
3.3.24 IRD definition Schema level: A data level
on which the types of Object that may be recorded in an
Interfaces
4.2
IRD definition are prescribed.
Services made available by
An interface is a defined set of
3.3.25 IRD level: The data level at which the
a processor.
tiormation resources of an enterprise are defined.
Esch processor is defined as having one interface at which
3.3.26 IRD level pair: The term used to describe
Services are made available. The interface is represented by
the IRD level and its schema at the IRD definition level.
the rectangular part of the icon shown in figure 1. The
number identifies the interface which is named and described
3.3.27 IRD Schema: A set of definitions which
in accompanying text.
control what may exist at any time in an IRD.
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ISO/IECl0027:1990(E)
4.3 Person 5 The Structure of the IRDS Standards
A person is represented by the icon shown in figure 2.
5.1 Purpose of the IRDS Standards
The purpose of the family of International Standards for
00
Information Resource Dictionary Systems is to provide a
common basis for the development of Information Resource
Dictionaries. This IRDS Framework International Standard
defines the context within which the other Parts of the
IRDS family of International Standards are prescribed.
8
An Information Resource Dictionary is a shareable
Figure 2 - Icon for a person
repository for a definition of the information resources
4.4 Storage medium
relevant to all or part of an enterprise. This may include
information about any or all of the following:
A storage medium is a device on which data of any kind
may be recorded such as a hard disc, a floppy disc or tape.
a) data needed by the enterprise;
A storage medium is represented by the icon shown in
b) the computerized and possibly non-
figure 3.
computerized processes which are available for
Data will be held on some storage medium.
presenting and maintaining such data;
The name withi .n the icon identifies the content of the
c) the available physical hardware environment
storage medium.
on which such data tan be represented;
d+) the organization of human and physical
resources which tan make use of the
information;
Name
e) the human resources responsible for
6
generating that information.
Figure 3 - Icon for a storage medium
An Information Resource Dictionary System
(IRDS) is a System which provides facilities for creating,
4.5 Client - Server association
maintaining and accessing an Information Resource
Dictionary (IRD) and its IRD definition.
Users of Services provided at an i nterface are termed
clients.
It must be emphasized that this family of International
Standards does not provide a Standard definition for all of the
The processor that provides the Services at an interface is
termed the server. A processor may fill the role of client above kinds of information. It does provide a framework for
and the role of server. A processor tan be the server to one defining such information and in which the information tan
interface. A processor may be a client of many interfaces. be represented and managed. The definition of those kinds of
information to be represented in an Information Resource
A client may be a person or a processor depending upon the
Dictionary, that are suitable for Standardisation, are a
nature of the interface.
subject for other International Standards in this family.
Use of an interface by a client is shown by a line
The content of an Information Resource Dictionary tan be
connecting them. Use of a storage medium by a processor
compared with the content of a typical application database.
is shown by a line between them as illustrated in figure 4.
An application database contains data of relevante to the day
to day Operation of an enterprise. Such data may refer to
things such as employees, suppliers, customers and
purchase Order-s.
The data in an Information Resource Dictionary is in many
ways similar to that in an application database, but it is on
Figure 4 - Conven .tions to show Client -
a higher level. Such data may refer to things such as data
Server assoc siations
item types, data files, Computer programs and sub-Systems.
4.6 Diagramming conventions
The IRDS family of Standards
5.2
All figures using the conventions described above are drawn
This International Standard for an IRDS Framework
shown to the left of the server. This
so that the client is
specifies the Overall architecture in which each member of
convention is illustrated in figure 4.
the IRDS family of International Standards should be
positioned. The Framework identifies, in general terms, the
kinds of data together with the major processors and their
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ISO/IECl0027:l990(E)
associated interfaces and the broad nature of the Services Concrete Syntax;
provided at each interface.
c) Graphits.
Some, but not all, of the interfaces identified in this
A Panel style of interface defines a grouping of Services
International Standard are candidates for Standardisation as
which may possibly have been defined using some other
members of the IRDS family of International Standards.
style.
More than one Standard may be developed for a given
A concrete Syntax (such as a command language) is the
interface. Two International Standards for the same
traditional way of defining interfaces for persons. It is
interface may differ according to any mix of the following
important to note that using a syntactic language to define
aspects:
an International Standard does not imply that the same
a) Programming language dependence; concrete Syntax must be used by a person using the
interface.
b) Interface style;
A graphic interface style may be used in conjunction with
c) Data modelling facility used
either a Panel interface or with an abstract Syntax.
Data interchange format.
5.2.2.3 Abstract Syntax
Esch aspect will be considered in turn.
An interface style which tan be used to define both
interfaces to processors and interfaces to persons is that of
Programming language dependence
5.2.1
an abstract Syntax. An abstract Syntax is the specification
of a Service by using notation rules which are independent
Numerous prograrnming language dependencies are possible
of the encoding techniques used to represent them.
and there exist many International Standards for
programming languages.
An abstract Syntax emphasises the semantics of the
interface and a person may initiate a Standard Service in a
Interface styles
5.2.2
number of different ways such as selecting from a menu,
5.2.2.1 Interface styles for processors touching a Screen or using a special keyboard. Similarly, a
processor interface tan also be implemented using any one
Possible alternative interface styles which may be used by
of several interface styles as required.
processors are the following:
An International Standard using an abstract Syntax defines a
Programmatic - procedure call;
a)
set of services without prescribing any linguistic form to be
used by a person when each Service is initiated or invoked.
Syntax (execution time interpretation);
b)
Such an International Standard also includes the semantics
of the Services.
Service conventions (as used with OS1
Services).
Data modelling facility
5.2.3
A procedure cal1 interface defines a sequenced set of
A data modelling facility is a set of rules for defining
Parameters and the associated binding rules for the CALL
the structure of data (including constraints) and the
Statement of an International Standard programming
semantics of the associated data manipulation Services.
language. A procedure cal1 may also be implicit which
means that a Statement is used which is translated into a
Esch International Standard for either an interface to a
CALL Statement Prior to compilation.
person or an interface serving another processor is dependent
on one or more data modelling facilities.
A Syntax for execution time interpretation is similar to that
provided for a human User with the differente that the
Examples of kinds of data modelling facilities include
linguistic forms are interpreted at execution time by a
those:
processor specific to an International Standard programming
language.
Based on an International Standard Database
a)
Language (such as NDL or SQL);
A Service convention is a Standard set of programming
language independent conventions for specifying Parameter Based on a non-Standard database language;
b)
lists and Service primitives for use in an open System
Specific to an International Standard programming
environment. C)
language (such as COBOL or PL/I);
5.2.2.2 Interface styles for persons
Specific to a non-language International Standard
dl
Possible alternative styles for interfaces to persons are the
(such as OS1 Directory Services);
following:
g facilities
Which are non-Standard data modellin
e)
a) Panels (abstract Screen formats); (such as entity relationsh .ip modelling) .
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ISO/IEC10027:l990(E)
Esch data modelling facility is an intrinsically independent categories. The facilities to be described in clause 8.5 relate
means of representing data and possibly the Services which to the first and last of these categories.
may be specified for such data.
6 IRDS Data Content
5.2.4 Data Interchange formats
Data Levels
61 .
If an International Standard in the IRDS family is concemed
The comerstone of the IRDS Framework is the concept of
with the transfer of data from one real System to another,
four data levels and the associated three “level pairs”. The
then a data interchange format must be adopted or defined in
purpose of these four data levels is to make it possible to
it. The transfer may be either by means of communications
extend the types of data that tan be held in the IRD.
facilities or by physical transportation of data from one
location to another using a transportable storage medium.
An understanding of the levels and level pairs is critical to
an understanding of how an IRD relates to its environment
5.3 Support for different fields of
and of how an IRDS provides Services to its users.
application
6.2 Concept of types and instances
This IRDS Framework is intended to Supplement
Standardisation work in such general areas as data
The idea of types and instances (often referred to as
interchange formats and to facilitate the development of
occurrences) is well established in many programming
consistent International Standards in many specific fields of
languages and in database management Systems, although
application.
these two have a different approach to the Separation of
program f?om data.
The use of an International Standard in the IRDS family is
useful not only within each field of application, but also as
A “type” of data, such as an EMPLOYEE, is defined, either
a bridge between them. This is enabled by allowing the
in a program or, in the case of a database management
rules according to which data is represented at one real
System, in a separate language used for defining data. This
System themselves to be defined, changed and extended
definition of a type of data essentially creates an open-ended
according to specific requirements.
data Container. Sometimes it is identified as a record type,
sometimes as a table, and sometimes in other ways.
5.4 Means of support International
Standa rds
Application programs, which may be separate from the
above data definition or may contain it, refer to
The support through International Standards tan be provided
EMPLOYEE in their executable Code. When such programs
in different ways, depending on the technologies involved
are executing, they will subsequently Cause data about
Examples are the
and on the field of application.
specific EMPLOYEES (each of which is sometimes called
following:
an instance or an occurrence) to be stored in a file or in a
a) Standardised Services at an interface; dZitZiW.
b) Data content using generalised Services; When data about a specific EMPLOYEE needs to be
accessed, it is necessary to refer to the type of data in a
c) Data interchange formats.
program and subsequently to pick out the specific instance
of that type.
An International Standard for Services at an interface defines
in general terms the contents of some part of an
The IRDS concept of data levels is an extension of this
Information Resource Dictionary and an IRD Definition,
basic type and instance concept which one tan regard as
and the Services by which those contents may be accessed
having two levels and one level pair. These two levels are
and manipulated.
in fact the bottom two of the four identified in this IRDS
International Standard.
A data content Standard defines in precise terms the content
of some part of an information resource dictionary according
The concept of an application program, which in its Source
to some prescribed data modelling facility. The Services
form references a defined type of data, such as EMPLOYEE,
which may be performed on that data (including the
and when executing accesses an instance of that type,
semantics of such Services) may or may not be implicit in
provides the basis for understanding how an TRDS Service
the general data manipulation Services associated with that
relates to a level pair.
data modelling facility.
6.3 Data Containers
An International Standard for a data interchange format is
one designed to facilitate the inter-operability of several real The concept of a data Container must be distinguished from
Systems by standardising the formats of the various kinds of that of a type or Schema. A data Container is a
message sent from one real System to another. A data conceptual area of storage in which data instances tan be
interchange format may be specific to a field of application. recorded. At any Point in time, a data Container may
contain data instances or it may be empty.
The facilities to be described in clause 7 of this
International Standard relate to the first two of these three Data types are described in some kind of data definition
language. The creation of a container in which instances
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ISO/IECl0027:l990(E)
The content of an IRD Schema may be defined in three
tan be recorded may be a separate event from the definition
ways:
of the associated schema in which the data types are defined.
Instances of a type tan only be recorded after a container has
a) by International Standards;
been created.
b) by a supplier of IRD definitions;
The set of rules which govems how the data instances in a
data container must conform to the types of data with which
c) by a User.
they are associated is collectively called a data modelling
facility. One or more data modelling facilities may be
At any point in time an IRD Schema is a subset of an IRD
associated with each level pair.
Definition, consisting of a part of the IRD definition that
the dictionary administrator has Chosen to make active.
provided for a level pair are
The semantics of each service
modelling facility.
necessarily specific to one data
An IRD Definition includes data to support added value
facilities such as those described in 7.3.
Identification of Data Levels
6.4
IRD Level
6.4.3
The IRDS functionality is associated with three data levels,
but it is useful for expository reasons to cover four data
The purpose of the IRD Level is to contain IRDs.
levels.
There may be any number of XRDs existing, all described
The four data levels described are as follows:
by one IRD Schema. There may also be other IRDs
described by other IRD Schemas.
IRD Definition Schema Level;
a)
Some, but not all, of the content of an IRD defines types at
IRD Defmition Level;
the application level.
IRD Level;
For example, an IRD would contain the information that
EMPLOYEE and PURCHASE ORDER arc two record
Application Level.
types. An IRD might also contain information about which
These levels, while being inter-related, exist to serve programs use these record types.
different purposes, as will be described later. The levels are
Figure 5 Shows that some of the information in an IRD
illustrated in Figure 5.
will define the currently active application Schemas. Othcr
IRD Definition Schema Level information in an IRD will include non-active application
6.4.1
schemas and other analysis, design and contra1 information
The purpose of the IRD Definition Schema level is
about the applications.
to prescribe the types of Object about which data may be
The purpose of the data in an IRD is to enable an IRDS to
recorded on the IRD Definition Level.
support the design, construction and Operation of
The definition of the types of data that tan be stored on the
computerised information Systems, and any other functions
IRD Definition level is called the IRD Definition
for which the IRDS is seen as an appropriate tool.
Schema.
Most data instances in an IRD are placed there by a
6.4.2 IRD Definition Level
business analyst, an information Systems designer or an
information Systems builder. This may be done explicitly
The purpose of the IRD Definition Level is to contain
and consciously, as part of the activity involved with
IRD definitions.
planning, analysing and designing information Systems to
support the running of the enterprise. In some cases, the
The types of data whose instances are recorded in IR D
recording of data in an IRD may be done automatically by a
Definitions are defined on the IRD Definition Schema
Software product (for example, a language Compiler) which
Level.
supports a particular development activity. Some of the data
There may be any number of IRD Definitions existing, all in an IRD makes it possible for the dictionary administrator
described by one IRD Definition Schema. to carry out the activities for which he is responsible.
A part of an IRD Definition, referred to as an IR D
The types of data in an IRD are completely defined by the
Schema, prescribes the types of Object about which data
data held in the applicable IRD Schema. Some of these
may be stored in one or more IRDs. types will be defined in one or more International Standards
in the IRDS family or possibly in other Standards.
An IRD Definition may contain one or more IRD Schemas.
Furthermore, the types of data in an IRD may be extended
Some of the content of the IRD Definition may be under
by an implernentor of a product, an installer of a product or
development and intended to replace the content of an IRD
by a dictionary administrator.
Schema or to add to the definitions in an IRD Schema.
Other definitions may have previously been replaced and are
categorised as “archived”. This is illustrated in figure 5.
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ISO/IECl0O27:1990(E)
IRD Definitio Schema
Level
IRD
Definition
Level Pair
efinition Level
/ defines /
IRD Level
Pair
IRD Level
A pplica tion
Level Pair
Level
Application Database
Figure 5 - Levels and the IRDS
An IRD Definition specifies further types of data in an business activities of an enterprise in some way. Thus, the
data about specific instances of EMPLOYEE will be
IRD, necessary for day to day administration by a
recorded on the Application Level.
dictionar
...
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