When you process data with Phorio, the following terminology is used. A "definition" is always a meaning for something, usually an information asset or a property of an information asset. There are four types a definition can have.
Strict standards are the most common form of a meaning. A definition is considered a strict standard when there is a broad consensus over its meaning.
Flexible standards are meanings that cannot be expressed with strict standards. A definition is considered a flexible standard when is can easily be converted to other meanings using reaction masks.
Reaction masks are definitions of data transformation processes. A definition is considered reaction mask when it is needed to convert a new meaning (which someone has) against existing meanings (that is already known) so that the information can be structured and becomes queryable.
Explanations are glossary meanings which are not processed through Phorio but can be relevant to explain context. A definition is considered an explanation when it is usually not processed as data through editing tools or tools for automation.
A definition is a synonym for code, taxonomy, vocabulary, class, and meaning. Every issued definition is getting a 10-digit identifcation number (called PSC). The PSC numbering system consists of 10 randomized numeric digits starting with 1000000000 and ending with 9999999999. Each PSC number is uniform. PSC numbers will not be recycled if they are removed, and will not be changed if a code is updated as long as its meaning remains the same.