Artist
Key: ArtistId
- ArtistId
- int · key
- Name
- string
Data models and semantic definitions
Structure.
Meaning.
Or both.
MeaningGraph is an open registry for data models and semantic definitions. Describe how your data is structured, what it means, or both.
MeaningGraph
Search meanings and data models
Type to search current meanings and registered data models.
Illustrative logical schema
Chinook music store
A storage-neutral logical schema can describe data represented by different database engines.
Explore the Chinook modelAlbum
Key: AlbumId
- AlbumId
- int · key
- Title
- string
- ArtistId
- Artist reference
Reuse the logical structure across database engines. Add semantic mappings when useful.
Explore the graph
Connected domains
Start with structure, meaning, or both.See how it works
01 / Understand it
From isolated data
to a living graph.
A name in a table is only a start. MeaningGraph connects a field to what it represents, what it references and where that definition came from.
Explore InvoiceA meaning has context
DomainCommerce
EntityInvoice
FieldcountryId
↓ references
Geo / EntityCountry
A semantic reference connects definitions even when their data lives in different systems.
02 / Map it
Same meaning.
Different shape.
A semantic field is independent of its storage type. Map it to a SQL column, JSON property or CSV heading without redefining what it means.
Inspect Invoice.customerId
Semantic definitionPhysical representation
Invoice.customerId↔chinook.Invoice.CustomerIdCountry.alpha2↔countries.csv → ISO2Customer.contactId↔customer.contact.idIllustrative mappings. ChinookDB.com provides an example database.
03 / Connect it
Sources that never
met can make sense together.
Definitions provide a common layer for SQL databases, APIs and files. Follow the meaning of an identifier across sources before writing a join.
SQLHTTP / JSONCSVOpenVaultDB
SQL ServerOracleHTTP / JSONCSV
MeaningGraphshared meanings
SearchQueryValidateAnalyze
Latest articles
Guides to the ideas in the registry.
Follow a fictional projector maintenance job to distinguish asset identity, project work, observed lamp hours and document revision evidence.
Model a fictional Repair Day with distinct event, reservation, venue, address, team and time-zone records, plus practical schedule checks.
Buying is a relationship. Treating it as an identity makes everyday transactions unexpectedly confusing.
Follow a fictional projector purchase through an order, invoice, payment and outstanding obligation, keeping every record explainable.
Public registry
Browse data models and semantic definitions.
Registration is optional. Describe logical record types and fields, define meanings and relationships, or connect the two later. Registration adds discovery and pinned provenance. Database implementations and deployments are listed in the OpenVaultDB Directory.
Supported by CodeGrapher
Explore meanings and their model bindings.
CodeGrapher recognizes MeaningGraph concepts and their declared ModelSpec bindings in indexed source. Registered graph and concept pages link to the exact source revision and concept line pinned by this registry. Code relationships appear where the indexed repository declares them.
04 / Own and extend it
Open by design.
Yours by default.
Keep definitions in your own Git repository. Reference an immutable version, extend a shared concept, or propose a change upstream. Alternatives can coexist with clear provenance.
How to contributecommunity / commerceInvoice @ 1.2Reusable definition
extends ↓
acme / finance-modelAcmeInvoice @ 3Narrows id to integer · adds approvalCode
Repo, version and extension remain visible wherever a definition is used.
One registry and a physical directory
Logical models, shared meanings, physical databases.
MeaningGraph · you are hereLogical models and semantic definitions
The shape of the data (record types, fields, types and links), plus domain concepts and vocabularies in one open registry. Models can stand alone; links to meanings are optional. ModelSpec remains an independently usable model format.
Browse the Registry ModelSpec formatOVDB DirectoryWhere it is
Physical databases, engines and deployments: where the data is, who publishes it and how to reach it.
directory.openvaultdb.com05 / Contribute
Start with structure,
meaning, or both.
Register a logical data model, add semantic definitions, or connect both. Registration adds discovery and pinned provenance.
01Describe structure, meaning, or both
Logical models and semantic definitions can be registered independently, then connected when useful.
02Keep control of the source
Register a repository and immutable revision for discovery.
03Connect optionally
Meanings can map to model fields without changing either definition.
Used in product development
Find meaning in your data with DataTug.
DataTug helps developers explore database schemas, build and run queries, and understand results. DataTug can reference versioned DataModels from MeaningGraph and consume their structure independently of semantic mappings.
Explore the tools behind DataTugDataTug developmentModel structure ↔ shared meaningConnecting definitions across datasets
A shared language for people and software
Let's build a more
meaningful tomorrow.
Explore. Define. Connect. Together.
Explore the graph