Table 6 Differences between DDE and our CDE semantic relationships
CDE Semantic Type | Characteristic | Difference from a DDE | |
|---|---|---|---|
aCDE | Hybrid | Allowing the entry of multiple data types in a hybrid aCDE requires aCDEs that support different data types for the same data item | A DDE does not support the entry of multiple types of data |
Variable | Connecting to an outside dictionary database | No dictionary-associated constraint in a DDE | |
cCDE | General | Containing a set of aCDEs | Do not have output DE(s), but a DDE can be a cCDE |
Repeated | Allowing sequential data entry into a repeated cCDE | No repeated property in a DDE | |
Dictionary | Bringing biomedical knowledge from an outside dictionary database to a dictionary cCDE containing a variable aCDE as a foreign key to the dictionary table with the repeated property | No dictionary connection allowed for a DDE | |
Constraint | Operated | Allowing mathematical/algebraic expressions between related aCDEs | A DDE has this constraint with the a CALCULATION type |
Required | Forcing aCDE to have a value other than null | No required constraint in a DDE | |
Dependent | Dynamic enabling and disabling of an aCDE via a predicate | No dependent constraint in a DDE | |
Ordered | Ordering a set of aCDEs | A DDE has this constraint by default | |