schemarigelig

Schemarigelig is a term used in discussions of data modeling and information architecture to describe a design approach that intentionally balances schema rigidity with adaptive flexibility. A schemarigelig model maintains explicit schemas and validation rules, yet allows schema evolution and tolerant parsing to handle drift and heterogeneous data sources without sacrificing interoperability.

The term is a neologism that blends "schema" with a form of the Danish word rigelig meaning plentiful, used metaphorically to convey an abundance of structural guidance. It first appeared in online discussions about data architecture around 2023 and has not achieved formal standardization.

Core traits include versioned schemas, forward and backward compatibility strategies, and tooling that supports both strict validation and permissive ingestion. Benefits include stronger interoperability and improved data quality; drawbacks include potential complexity and higher initial design costs, particularly for large, evolving datasets.

In practice, schemarigelig approaches are used in data integration, API design, and data catalogs to balance governance with operability. They align with schema-focused technologies such as JSON Schema, SHACL, and OWL, which provide validation rules while allowing controlled evolution. Related concepts include schema, data model, schema evolution, contract testing, and data governance practices.