Variable definitions

Introduction

Variable Definitions are centralized definitions of concrete variables which are typically present in multiple datasets. Variable Definitions support standardization of data and metadata and facilitate sharing and joining of data by clarifying when variables have an identical definition.

Read Access

This API exposes Variable Definitions with status PUBLISHED_EXTERNAL. No authentication is required.

Language

Responses are rendered in the language given by the Accept-Language header. Supported values are nb (Norwegian Bokmål), nn (Norwegian Nynorsk) and en (English). The default is nb.

Immutability

Variable Definitions are immutable. This means that any changes must be performed in a strict versioning system. Consumers can avoid being exposed to breaking changes by specifying a date_of_validity when they request a Variable Definition.

Validity Periods

Validity Periods are versions with a period defined by a valid_from date and optionally a valid_until date. A new Validity Period indicates that the fundamental meaning of the Variable Definition has changed from that date onwards.