A Vocabulary is an organized collection of terms, names, identifiers, labels, symbols, codes, or other designations used to identify and communicate concepts within a defined context.
A Vocabulary entry may identify:
A Vocabulary supports consistent communication by establishing which designations are used and what they mean within a community or Domain. When a Vocabulary is governed, its entries, changes, versions, authorities, and applicability are maintained through defined Governance processes.
A Vocabulary is related to, but distinct from, semantics. A Vocabulary associates designations with defined concepts or meanings. Semantics concerns the meaning of those designations, concepts, Data elements, model elements, rules, or statements within a context.
A Vocabulary is also distinct from Structure and Interpretation. Structure determines how a designation or value is represented. Interpretation applies rules, calculations, classifications, Policies, or reasoning to Data using the meaning established or referenced by the Vocabulary.
A controlled Vocabulary is a Vocabulary whose entries and permitted uses are managed by an identified authority. A glossary, code list, taxonomy, schema, or Ontology may incorporate or reference a Vocabulary, but each provides additional structures or purposes beyond the Vocabulary itself.
an organized collection of designations and associated meanings used to identify and communicate concepts within a defined context
Informed by ISO 1087 terminology-work concepts and the SIP-RA separation of Data, Structure, semantics, and Interpretation; specialized for use across Dido Solutions specifications.
A Vocabulary does not need to prescribe a particular representation technology. The same governed Vocabulary may be represented in a document, table, schema, code list, model, registry, or machine-processable semantic artifact.
Two Vocabularies may use the same designation for different concepts or different designations for the same concept. Interoperability therefore requires mappings to preserve the applicable context, meaning, authority, and version rather than relying only on matching words.
A logistics Vocabulary defines terms such as Supply Item, Unit of Measure, Requisition Status, Readiness State, and Delivery Priority. Each entry identifies its intended meaning, applicable Domain, permitted codes, source authority, and version so participating Systems can exchange and interpret logistics Data consistently.
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