Mapping any database to a reference schema
The same organisation, location or activity appears differently in different databases. Their records cannot be compared reliably until those differences are resolved.
How this work runs.
One run, start to finish. A box with an accent tick is a tool acting and opens its own page; a rounded box is an artefact or a record; a diamond is a decision the work cannot pass without. A dashed line is a hand-off the suite has not mechanised yet.
- reads what the other publishes
- Nothing is sent. The next tool reads what the one before it has published, at the moment it needs it.
A source database is read, conformed against the reference schema, and written out against the target, with the schema supplied rather than coded.
Each step in the order it runs, and where one stops before the next begins.
- 01RECORDANY DATABASE (SOURCE) A record the run reads, writes or hands on.Nothing in this run reaches it. Hands on to SCRIBE.
- 02RUN · toolSCRIBE Renders the source against the target schema, given as a parameter.Reached from ANY DATABASE (SOURCE). Hands on to ANY DATABASE (TARGET), NOT MECHANISED YET, NOT MECHANISED YET.
- 03RECORDANY DATABASE (TARGET) A record the run reads, writes or hands on.Reached from SCRIBE. The run parks here.
- 04RECORDNOT MECHANISED YET A record the run reads, writes or hands on.Reached from SCRIBE. The run parks here.
- 05RECORDNOT MECHANISED YET A record the run reads, writes or hands on.Reached from SCRIBE. The run parks here.
- 01picked upSCRIBE ANY DATABASE (SOURCE).Matter the run starts from. No member of the suite put it there.
- 02parks hereSCRIBE ANY DATABASE (TARGET).Target schema as a parameter.Nothing later in this run reads it, so this is where that branch of the run stops.
- 03nothing crossesSCRIBE NOT MECHANISED YET.This hand-off is not mechanised yet. A person notices, or nobody does.
- 04nothing crossesSCRIBE NOT MECHANISED YET.This hand-off is not mechanised yet. A person notices, or nobody does.
What this work delivers.
A mapping to a reference schema that lets records be compared or exchanged while preserving their origin.
Inspect the source
Identify the source structure, identifiers, units and relationships.
Define the mapping
Scribe proposes how each source construct corresponds to the reference schema.
Resolve exceptions
Check ambiguous identities, missing values and differences of meaning with an operator.
Validate the output
Confirm the mapped records meet the target requirements and retain their provenance.
Mapping is not permission to share. The data holder separately decides whether mapped information becomes discoverable or accessible.
Explore connections through SpineWhich tools, in what capacity.
Put this to work in your context.
Tell us what you need to achieve and what you already have.