Differences In Request Types

See also the ProtocolFeatures/RequestMethods for a discussion about extending the protocol for new request types.

DiGIR?

• metadata request - returns metadata defined by the DiGIR? protocol (sample request, sample response)
• search request - returns records with a structure defined "on the fly" in a request (sample request, sample response)
• inventory request - returns a list of distinct values (same as BioCASE? scan request) (sample request, sample response)
• status request - ? (not implemented)

Both search and inventory requests have a COUNT flag. When this flag is set to true the provider includes in the response the number of matched records (search) or distinct values (inventory) as a diagnostic element with the code MATCH_COUNT.

BioCASE?

• capabilities request - returns list of data/federation schemas with the concepts mapped in the questioned datasource.
• search request - returns records with a structure based on a federation schema chosen in the request. Any number of (federation/data) schemas can be supported. They just need to be configured/mapped by a provider first.
• scan request - returns a list of distinct values (same as DiGIR? inventory request)