SDMX data conversion fundamentals using Fusion Metadata Registry

Module introduction

The SDMX standard provides 12 alternative formats for transmitting data including EDI, JSON, CSV and seven different variants of XML.

In this module we look at precisely what these formats are, which ones are most useful and how to use Fusion Metadata Registry to convert SDMX datasets between them.

Learning objectives

  • Gain a basic understanding of the common SDMX data transmission formats including the most-used XML formats, JSON, CSV and EDI, plus Fusion Metadata Registry’s own Excel format
  • How to convert datasets to different transmission formats interactively using the FMR web user interface
  • The SDMX-ML 2.1 structure specific ‘quick convert’ function

Prerequisites

A basic understanding of the core SDMX concepts and the key metadata structures would be helpful including: Data Structure Definition, Concept, Codelist and Dataflow.

Units in this module

Not covered in this module and further reading

Programmatic data conversion using the FMR REST API

Data can also be converted between transmission formats programmatically using FMR’s transformation REST API web services. The REST API is out of scope for this module, but there are some useful reference guides on the FMR Wiki:

Synchronous data transformation REST web service
Asynchronous data validation and transformation REST web service

Transformation of datasets to different Data Structure Definitions using SDMX Structure Mapping

In addition to converting data between SDMX transmission formats, FMR can also transform a dataset to a different DSD using SDMX Structure Mapping. A reference guide on how to define SDMX 3.0 structure maps using FMR 11 can be found on the FMR Wiki:

FMR 11 structure mapping reference

Unit 01 SDMX data transmission formats primer