7.7 Exchanging

SNOMED CT Expression Constraints can be shared between systems and users via a number of methods, including:

• Exchanging an expression constraint string which conforms to the Brief Syntax of the Expression Constraint Language;
• Exchanging an expression constraint identifier, which can be unambiguously interpreted by the receiving system. If this approach is adopted it is recommended that an expression constraint repository is used to ensure that both the sending and receiving systems have a shared and consistent understanding of the meaning of each expression constraint.

Irrespective of the method used, it is recommended that the Brief Syntax of the SNOMED CT Expression Constraint Language be used as the normative syntax for the interoperable sharing of expression constraints.