EDCS Tutorial
DESCRIPTION: This tutorial will introduce the concept of a coding specification, how it may be applied to environmental data, and the major environmental coding systems currently in use. It will review the structure of the EDCS ISO draft standard, including Classifications, Attributes, Enumerations, Units, and Groups. Illustrative examples from various environmental domain will be provided. The use of the International System of Units (SI) for specifying measures within the EDCS will be addressed. How the EDCS is used within the SEDRIS Data Representation Model (DRM) will be defined, and mappings between the EDCS and representative external environmental coding specifications will be examined. The tutorial will conclude with an examination of differences and similarities with the ISO TC 211 Feature Cataloging Methodology, and a summary of the major structural and functional aspects of the EDCS.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Those desiring to define the semantics of environmental data (the environmental "things" and what they "mean"), either as data providers or data consumers or both. Knowledge of other existing taxonomies or standards on environmental classification and attribution will be useful, but is not a pre-requisite. Prior knowledge of other SEDRIS technologies is not required, however, knowledge of the Data Representation Model (DRM) will be helpful. Both project managers and technical implementers will benefit from this tutorial.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The attendee will learn about both the current implementation, and the target standardization, of the EDCS. Related standards and coding conventions will be discussed as a starting point for the attendee developing mappings to/from coding systems they may be currently using. Current EDCS shortfalls, and planned developments, will be addressed in order to assist the attendee in preparing to use the EDCS within their domain and ensuring that ongoing EDCS developments can be taken into account in project planning. Mechanisms for elaborating the EDCS will be defined and attendees encouraged to get involved in extending the EDCS to meeting their project requirements.