1 | BIDMRIB uses the IEEE Standard 1420.1, Basic Interoperability Data Model (BIDM), as the default data model for storing and exchanging metadata. The purpose of BIDM is to define the minimal set of information about assets that reuse libraries should be able to exchange in order to support interoperability. Since the BIDM describes a minimal set, other data that would be useful for interoperability, such as library data model information as well as communication protocol and related standards, are not included in the BIDM.
The BIDM consists of five classes that each have a set of attributes and relationships. An attribute is a field that contains textual data. A relationship is a field that is used to relate one class to another class. In the context of RIB, the value of a relationship is a URL. RIGObject is the root class of the BIDM model. The "Name" attribute defined in the RIGObject class is inherited by all subclasses. The four BIDM subclasses along with their attributes and relationships are described below. Relationships are denoted by an asterik ( * ). For a graphical depiction of the data model, see Figure 2 below.
Asset contains information about items of interest that are stored in a reuse library, such as design documentation, specifications, source code, test suites, or any other unit of information of potential value to the reuser. Assets contain the following attributes and relationships:
Abstract
Cost
DateOfInformation
DistributionStatement
Domain
IsComposedOf.Asset*
IsLocatedIn.Library*
IsMadeOf.Element*
Keyword
Language
Name (inherited from RIGObject
class)
Restrictions
SecurityClassification
TargetEnvironment
UniqueId
Version
VersionDate
WasCreatedBy.Organization*
Element consists of a single file. This file is given the following attributes:
ElementType
Media
Name (inherited from RIGObject class)
Library is made up of Assets.
Each library may have the attribute and relationship:
ContactIs.Organization*
IsComposedOf.Library*
Name (inherited from RIGObject class)
Organization may be a person, company, research group, etc., that creates and manages an Asset or Library. The following attributes may be specified for an Organization:
Address
Email
Fax
Name (inherited from RIGObject class)
TelephoneThe BIDM standards document (IEEE Standard 1420.1) may be purchased by contacting the IEEE at 1-800-678-IEEE or by visiting their website at http://standards.ieee.org/. The standard was developed as a collaboration between the Reuse Library Interoperability Group (RIG) and the Software Engineering Standards Committee (SESC) of the IEEE Computer Society, which evolved into the Reuse Steering Committee (RSC)
.