Structured Data Transformation Language (SDTL) is an independent intermediate language for representing data transformation commands. Statistical analysis packages (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS, and R) provide similar functionality, but each one has its own proprietary language. SDTL consists of JSON schemas for common operations, such as RECODE, MERGE FILES, and VARIABLE LABELS. SDTL provides machine-actionable descriptions of variable-level data transformation histories derived from any data transformation language. Provenance metadata represented in SDTL can be added to documentation in DDI and other metadata standards.

Supports Activities:

• Generate key machine-actionable metadata on production processes for inclusion in DDI and other
• Capture transformation processes for provenance purposes
• Capture a metadata life cycle that parallels the data life cycle
• Capture processing information in a structure that can be used to create syntax for a range of statistical packages

Version 1.0 [current version]

Publication date: 2020-12-01

• DOWNLOAD LINK
• RDF Namespace: http://rdf-vocabulary.ddialliance.org/sdtl
• SDTL User Guide 

Initial publication 2020-12-01