CLASS: OBJECT
As the root class of the information model, “Object” comprises attributes inherited by all objects. These attributes are also defined as objects and inherit their own attributes
ATTRIBUTE: IDENTIFIER
The “Identifier” attribute of the root Object is modeled as an instance of the “Identifier” subclass of the “Attribute” class (hereinafter referred to as an Identifier attribute). All objects are uniquely identifiable by this primary Identifier attribute. For example, the UUID G823… identifies the “Identifier” attribute itself.
ATTRIBUTE: CLASS
The “Class” attribute of the root Object is modeled as an instance of the “Relation” subclass of the “Attribute” class (hereinafter referred to as a Relation attribute). The “Class” Relation attribute identifies the class to which the object belongs, where a class is represented by an instance of the “Class” class. For example, the “Class” Relation attribute itself belongs to (is an instance of) the “Relation” class.
ATTRIBUTE: OWNING PARTY
The “Owning Party” Relation attribute of the root Object identifies the party that owns the object, where a party is represented by an instance of the “Party” class. For example, the “Owning Party” Relation attribute itself is owned by a party
ATTRIBUTE: NAME
The “Name” attribute of the root Object represents a human-readable descriptor that may not be universally unique. The value may be static (e.g. Business name) or may be dynamically generated from triggered events.
ATTRIBUTE: TERM
The “Term” Relation attribute of the root Object identifies a Term object which comprises attributes (e.g. “English” attribute, “Spanish” attribute) representing human-readable descriptors in multiple human languages. For example, the “Term” Relation attribute itself is termed in English as “Term” which can also dynamically generate the value of its “Name” attribute.
ATTRIBUTE: DELETED
The “Deleted” attribute of the root Object represents the object’s basic state of existence. The Boolean value of the “Deleted” attribute is set to false (“No”) when an object’s basic state is existing, and to true (“Yes”) when an object’s basic state becomes non-existing.
ATTRIBUTE: IDENTIFIER
The “Identifier” attribute of the root Object is modeled as an instance of the “Identifier” subclass of the “Attribute” class (hereinafter referred to as an Identifier attribute). All objects are uniquely identifiable by this primary Identifier attribute. For example, the UUID G823… identifies the “Identifier” attribute itself.
CLASS: TERM
The “Term” class represents words and phrases (i.e. terms) within a controlled vocabulary that are used to provide well-defined, human-readable meaning to classes and attributes, including the “Term” class itself. The “Term” class comprises an attribute for each human language (e.g. “English” attribute, “Spanish” attribute) to provide National Language Support for global applications.
CLASS: CLASS
The “Class” class represents classes themselves. Collectively, class instances define the hierarchical structure of the Common Ontology and domain-specific ontologies
ATTRIBUTE: BASE CLASS
The “Base Class” Relation attribute enables a class instance (e.g. “Boolean” class) to inherit the attributes of an upper (base) class (e.g., “Data Type” class).
CLASS: DATA TYPE
Atomic and primitive data types have been defined by standards organizations (ISO.org 11404, W3.org XML Schema), but inconsistencies among them are challenging to manage. The “Data Type” class represents atomic types of data (Boolean, number, string), classified based on their data size, possible values and operations, and method of persistence. All data based on digital electronics is represented as bits (alternatives 0 and 1) on the lowest level, varying only in size (the quantity of bits).
CLASS: UNIT
The “Unit” class represents any standardized quantity used as a factor to express occurring values of an attribute assigned to the Quantity data type. The “Conversion Factor” and “Conversion Offset” attributes contained within the “Unit” class support a unit conversion process.
CLASS: ATTRIBUTE
The “Attribute” class represents any characteristic applicable to all instances of a specific class, including the “Attribute” class itself. An attribute instance is contained within the most general class applicable to all its objects, including subclasses.
CLASS: ENUMERATOR
The “Enumerator” class represents named values (enumerators) contained within instances of the “Enumeration” class. The “Value” attribute within the “Enumerator” class represents the identifier utilized as the value of an Enumeration attribute. The example instances of the “Enumerator” class shown below represent the set of enumerators associated with the “Status” Enumeration attribute within the “System” class. The acceptable value of this Enumeration attribute is limited to 0, 1, and 2, corresponding to the enumerators termed “Inactive”, “Active” and “Failed”, respectively.