5. SDMX: General input requirements Raynald Palmieri Eurostat Unit B5: “Central data and metadata services” SDMX Basics course, 1-2 March 2017

Note The scope of this presentation is to give general information on SDMX. It lists the main questions received during the implementation of SDMX exchanges between NSIs and Eurostat.

Questions (1): How to start sending data in SDMX format? Where to find SDMX objects? Format versus version? Use of SDMX 2.0 or 2.1? Version of the Converter to be used?

Questions (2): CSV header versus SDMX header? Use of constraints? Use of the Converter or the SDMX-RI? What to do if my question is not in the list?

How to start sending data in SDMX format?

How to start sending data in SDMX format? When a request comes from Eurostat, the Production Unit sends the guidelines describing the data exchange. All information needed to create data in SDMX format should be included in this document. Use the appropriate SDMX tools according to the data system in the NSI and taking into account the complexity of the domain

Where to find SDMX objects?

Where to find SDMX objects? The information concerning the name, the version and the location of SDMX objects to be used for the data exchange should be included in the guidelines sent by the Production Unit in Eurostat Usually, these SDMX objects can be downloaded from a SDMX registry.

Format versus version?

Format versus version? Use "Format" for SDMX 2.0 or 2.1 Ex: download a DSD in SDMX format 2.0 Use "Version" for SDMX object numbers Ex: DSD named STSALL version 2.1 It is possible to download the DSD STSALL version 2.1 in format SDMX 2.0

Use of SDMX 2.0 or 2.1?

Use of SDMX 2.0 or 2.1? The use of the format SDMX 2.0 or 2.1 for SDMX objects should be transparent Concerning the format used to send data, this information has to be included in the guidelines sent by the Production Unit in Eurostat; the main format used in reception in Eurostat is SDMX 2.0 COMPACT

Version of the Converter to be used?

Version of the Converter to be used? The latest version of the tools can be downloaded from the SDMX Infospace Website No need to upgrade an existing version of the tool when a new one is delivered (except if a problem is detected)

CSV header versus XML header?

CSV header versus SDMX header? The CSV header corresponds to the name of the columns in a CSV file The SDMX header is the description of a data file in XML format For a conversion from CSV to SDMX format, both are needed

Use of constraints?

Use of constraints? The constraints are used for validation purpose. They correspond to a subset of codes allowed in a data exchange. If needed for a data exchange, they are included in dataflows listed in the guidelines sent by the Production Unit in Eurostat.

Use of the Converter or the SDMX-RI?

Use of the Converter or the SDMX-RI? It depends on the complexity of the data exchange NSI could choose the better solution depending on their system (except special requirements from Eurostat) The Converter can be used as an intermediate step because it is faster to configure.

What to do if my question is not in this presentation?

What to do if my question is not in the list? Do not hesitate to send any further question to : ESTAT-SUPPORT-SDMX@ec.europa.eu