ISO DIS 30042

Description / Abstract: TBX is designed to support various types of processes involving terminological data, including analysis, descriptive representation, dissemination, and exchange in various computer environments. The primary purpose of TBX is for exchange of terminological data. For example, it facilitates:

— integration or conversion of terminological data from multiple sources;

— comparing the contents of various terminological data collections;

— querying multiple terminological data collections through a single user interface by passing data through a common intermediate format on a batch or dynamic basis;

— placing data on an online site for download or public feedback;

— making terminology available dynamically in networked applications through a web service.

TBX is limited in its ability to represent presentational markup (such as bold or italics). However, presentational markup can be autogenerated from descriptive markup in a TBX document instance. Intended application areas include translation and authoring.

This International Standard explains fundamental concepts, and describes the metamodel, data categories, and XML styles: DCA (Data Category as Attribute) and DCT (Data Category as Tag). It also specifies the methodology for defining TBX dialects, which can adopt subsets of the master list of TBX data categories.

The primary audience for this standard is anyone wishing to create a new dialect compliant with TBX. This standard can also be used to analyse and to understand a terminological data collection or to design a new terminology database that complies with international standards and best practices. Typical users are programmers, software developers, terminologists, analysts, and other language professionals.

The definition of any particular TBX dialect is out of scope of this standard. TBX dialects are defined by industry stakeholders. Any materials needed to implement existing dialects are publicly available as self-contained industry specifications (see for instance the TBX website: www.tbxinfo.net).