Overview
ISO/IEC 19763-12:2015 - part of the Metamodel Framework for Interoperability (MFI) - defines a metamodel for information model registration. It standardizes how information models (both logical models that document business information requirements and physical database structures expressed via DDL/Core SQL) can be registered, described and managed to support data interoperability between systems.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose: Provide a metamodel to register information models so they can be discovered, compared, and mapped for interoperability.
- Model types covered:
- Logical information models (business information requirements) using common notations.
- Database structures limited to those conforming to Core SQL (ISO/IEC 9075-2 and -11).
- Fact-based techniques (e.g., ORM, NIAM) are explicitly out of scope.
- Supported notations (examples given): Express‑G, IDEF1X, UML Class Diagrams, Chen ER, Barker/Ellis ER, Information Engineering.
- Metamodel structure: Clause 5 defines metaclasses used for registration (e.g., Attribute, Entity_Type, Relationship, Domain, Unique_Identifier, Information_Model, Information_Modelling_Language, Diagram, Valid_Value).
- Conformance: Defines two degrees - strictly conforming (no extensions) and conforming (extensions allowed) - and requires an Implementation Conformance Statement (ICS).
- Interoperability links: Relationship with MFI Core and mapping capabilities (ISO/IEC 19763-10) for registering model mappings is described.
- Normative references: Integrates with ISO/IEC 9075 (SQL), ISO/IEC 11179 (MDR), and other parts of ISO/IEC 19763.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: Data architects, system integrators, metadata registry implementers, enterprise architects, tool vendors, standards bodies and government agencies designing interoperable data exchanges.
- Typical uses:
- Registering and cataloging logical models and database schemas in a metadata registry.
- Enabling discovery of overlapping model elements across systems to plan data mappings and interfaces.
- Supporting design of interoperable interfaces by recording model structure, keys, relationships and constraints.
- Providing a standardized input to mapping tools (in combination with ISO/IEC 19763‑10) for automated or semi-automated data translation.
- Benefits: Improves clarity of semantic and structural model information, supports reuse, reduces ambiguity in data exchanges, and streamlines system integration efforts.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 19763-12, metamodel for information model registration, MFI, information model registration, metadata registry, Core SQL, interoperable data exchange, information modelling.
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