The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) has published the Best Practice for UML to JSON Encoding Rules.
JSON is one of the most widely used data encodings in modern web applications. To achieve a high level of interoperability when exchanging JSON-encoded data, both the semantics and structure of the data must be well defined. In the geospatial domain, UML conceptual schemas are used to define application-relevant information. Ideally, the JSON Schema constructs can be automatically derived from a conceptual schema – a process that requires a clear set of encoding rules.
This new OGC Best Practice defines requirements for encoding UML application schemas (conforming to ISO 19103:2015 and potentially ISO 19109:2015), as JSON Schemas. The requirements classes cover the creation of JSON schemas for:
- plain JSON encoding,
- GeoJSON-compliant encoding, and
- JSON encoding compliant with JSON-FG 0.1
Additional requirements address encoding unions, code list-valued properties, property references, and entity types.
Building on the outcomes of the UGAS-2020 project, this Best Practice marks an important step toward standardizing JSON Schema encoding rules in the geospatial domain. It was developed collaboratively by Geonovum and interactive instruments, with several implementations already demonstrating how JSON Schema specifications can be derived from conceptual UML schemas and put into practice.
The OGC Best Practice for UML to JSON Encoding Rules is freely available to download.
About OGC
The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a membership organization dedicated to using the power of geography and technology to solve problems faced by people and the planet. OGC unlocks value and opportunity for its members through Standards, Innovation, and Collaboration. Our membership represents a diverse and active global community drawn from government, industry, academia, international development agencies, research & scientific organizations, civil society, and advocates.
Visit ogc.org for more information about our work.