A SNOMED CT Compositional Grammar expression begins with an optional definition status, contains one or more focus concepts (represented by a concept identifier) and optionally has a refinement. Each refinement may contain grouped or ungrouped attributes (or both). An attribute1 consists of the attribute name (represented by a concept identifier) together with the value of the attribute. The attribute value is either an expression or a concrete value (i.e. string, integer, decimal or boolean). Figure 2 below illustrates the overall structure of a compositional grammar expression using an abstract representation. Please note that no specific semantics should be attributed to each arrow in this abstract diagram.
Figure 2: Abstract model of a compositional grammar expression
Figure 3 below shows an example of an expression with the main components marked. These components will be explained further in the subsequent sections of this document.
Figure 3: The main parts of an example expression
| Ref | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Please note that, in the context of an expression, the word 'Attribute' is used to refer to the name/value pair within a refinement. However, in the context of the SNOMED CT concept model, the word 'Attribute' is often used to refer specifically to the 'attribute name' (i.e. the concept used as the relationship type). |
Feedback
Overview
Content Tools
Apps