SDMX and the DDI: Using the Right Tool for the Job

This paper covers the major features of the SDMX standard, and positions it relative to DDI versions 1.*/2.* and 3.0. It describes the typical use cases for each of the standards, and how to make an informed decision about which one best fits your needs. The two standards are complimentary, and the way in which they can be usefully employed in a single system is also addressed. There is an obvious overlap when dealing with multi-dimensional data, but there are many other points of alignment between the standards, and these are presented. Although DDI 3.0 was designed to be used in registry applications, it contains no specification of a standard registry, which SDMX does. The integration of DDI metadata into a standard SDMX registry implementation is described, to support collection, dissemination, data sourcing, and question, concept, and variable banks. Available tools and their integration are also discussed.