Description
At the September 6th, 2012 meeting of the Reference Information Model subcommittee, the members discussed the following topics:
1. TOPIC : What’s the difference between “Profiles” and “Layers” ? (Answer: Conceptually, a Profile is a restricted subset of a standardized message or data format, whereas a Layer is a set of name/value fields which effectively extends the information content of a message. The Common Alert Protocol (CAP) has built-in support for Parameter Name/Value fields. )
2. TOPIC : Is there an OASIS registration mechanism that we can use to register Layers? (Answer: OASIS has a registration mechanism for companies that utilize their standards, and perhaps this can be reused for the purpose of registering layers. We need to explore the potential reuse of this with OASIS staff. )
3. TOPIC: Should support for “Layers” be enabled in the EDXL Common Types to allow other EDXL standards to utilize the concept? (Answer: Yes. The “Layers” concept is well described in Norm’s document and Doug’s email, both referenced below, and the suggestion is made that the “Layers” concept has applicability beyond CAP. The consensus was that extending Common Types to support Layers would be useful. Jeff will upload an example implementation for consideration, including how it could be utilized in a potential version of the DE 2.0. See the reference to the WD10 zip below.)
4. MOTION to Create Two Notes, one on EDXL Restrictions and one on EDXL Extensions: “I move that we create two notes, one for EDXL Profiles dealing with constraints over standards or other profiles and a second note about EDXL Extensions that define allowable mechanisms to create Layers intended for business aspects of using the standards.” (Motion by Werner, seconded by Doug and Passed.)
References:
(1) Doug’s email describing the “Layers” concept: https://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/emergency/201206/msg00020.html
(2) Norm’s Document describing the Layers Concept: https://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/emergency-rim/download.php/46833/Draft-Environment-Canada-Layer%20(2).doc
(2) Jeff’s proposed DE 2.0 Working Draft 10 (DE WD10) containing an implementation of Layers in the Common Types and it’s potential use in the DE 2.0, with some examples: https://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/emergency-rim/download.php/46846/edxl-de-v2.0-wd10.zip
(3) A DE WD10 version of the DE Basics white paper, containing description of the “Layers” concept from a DE 2.0 perspective: https://www.oasis-open.org/apps/org/workgroup/emergency-rim/download.php/46851/DE_2.0_Basics_Draft_ver_10.doc
