intermap

An intermap is a mapping between two different vocabularies or data models. It specifies how concepts or data elements in one system correspond to concepts or data elements in another. Intermaps are crucial for data integration, interoperability, and data exchange, enabling different software systems, databases, or organizations to understand and utilize each other's data.

The purpose of an intermap is to facilitate translation or transformation of data. For instance, if one system uses the term "customer ID" while another uses "client identifier," an intermap would define that these two terms refer to the same underlying concept. This allows data to be moved or shared between systems without loss of meaning or requiring manual reconciliation.

Intermaps can be simple, defining one-to-one mappings, or complex, involving conditional logic, data type conversions, or the aggregation of multiple source elements into a single target element. They are often represented using standardized formats like XML, JSON, or specialized mapping languages. Developing and maintaining accurate intermaps is a key challenge in many data integration projects, as the complexity and number of mappings can grow significantly. The effectiveness of an intermap directly impacts the success of data interoperability efforts.