Download Updates and Filtered Versions of the Taxonomy

Updates: This function allows you to download the most current version of the Taxonomy Database in XML format. Files in ASCII format are no longer being produced and archived files older than June, 2007 have been removed. The last version of the Taxonomy Database and the History Files in ASCII format is also available, in the June 2007 Archive.

Filtered Versions of the Taxonomy: You can also generate and download an XML file for any of the available filters including those you have developed and kept as private. The filter XML is identical to the regular XML file except that it includes only those terms you included in your filter. Simply click on custom xml page, choose the country and language of your choice, mark the filter you have selected and click on "OK". Follow the download instructions below to save the filter to you computer. Be sure to remove the file from the server when you are through.

Download Instructions: To download a file, right click on the link then click on Save Target As... (or Save Link As... for Firefox), choose the destination, and click OK. If you simply click the link, it will display information in the browser.

If you are unsure about which file you need to download or you do not know how to import the downloaded update, contact your software vendor for further instructions.

Current Taxonomy Database in XML Format: An extract file that includes all Taxonomy terms as currently structured and separates Taxonomy elements (code, term, definition, facet, comments, bibliographic references, use references, see also references, related concepts, and external systems terms). Ask your software vendor about the utility you can use to load the Taxonomy into your database.

Archived Taxonomy Database in ASCII Format (without @ signs): This file contains all Taxonomy terms as structured in June of 2007 and separates Taxonomy elements (code, term, definition, use references, see also references) so that a program can be written to load the Taxonomy into a database. All fields are delimited by ",". The file has the following record structure:

Record ID Field Number Field Name Maximum Size Notes
01 1
2
Taxonomy Code
Term Name
13
60
02 1
2
Taxonomy Code
See Also Codes
13
13
Repeats for Each
See Also Code
03 1
2
Taxonomy Code
Use References
13
60
Repeats for each
Use References
04 1
2
Taxonomy Code
Definition
13
2000
Single text string of up
2,000 characters
A sample is below:

Please note that some of the definitions have interior quotes. It is important to ensure that reload programs do not truncate definitions.

Archived Taxonomy Database in ASCII Format (with @ signs): This version of the ASCII delimited extract file is identical to the above version except for the fact that interior quotes in the definitions have been changed to "@" signs. A sample of the same record is below:

If this version of the extract is used as a reload file, there must be a utility to convert the "@" signs to quotes once the file is in the database. Talk to your software vendor about which extract file to use and how to use it.

Current History File (ASCII) - New Format: Contains information about all Taxonomy code changes and deletions that that were made between the time the Taxonomy was first published in 1987 through June, 2007. It is organized into three sections: changes, one-to-one deletions and one-to-many deletions, and within each section, by Taxonomy code. The History File can be used in conjunction with a global search and replace program to update codes in your resource database. Changes can be processed automatically as can one-to-one deletions. One-to-many deletions must be processed interactively. Ask your software vendor how to use this file and the current database file to keep your Taxonomy updated. NOTE: use this file if your vendor has updated your global search and replace utility to accommodate the distinction between one-to-one and one-to-many deletions.

Current History File Elements - New Format
"0" Code Changes
"1" One-to-One Deletions
"2" One-to-Many Deletions

Elements for a "Change"
"0" for "change"
Old code
New code
Old Taxonomy term name
New Taxonomy term name
Date of change

Elements for a
"One-to-One Deletion"
"1" for "One-to-One Deletion"
Deleted code
Suggested replacement code
Suggested replacement
Date of deletion


Elements for a
"One-to-Many Deletion"
"2" for "One-to-Many Deletion"
Deleted code
Suggested replacement code #1
Suggested replacement term #1
Date of deletion
"2" for "One-to-Many Deletion"
Deleted code (same)
Suggested replacement code #2
Suggested replacement term #2
Date of deletion


Archived History File (ASCII) - Old Format: Contains information about all Taxonomy code changes and deletions that that were made between the time the Taxonomy was first published in 1987 through June, 2007. It is organized into two sections: changes and deletions, and within each section, by Taxonomy code. The History File can be used in conjunction with a global search and replace program to update codes in your resource database. Changes can be processed automatically. Deletions are generally processed interactively. Ask your software vendor how to use this file and the current database file to keep your Taxonomy updated. NOTE: If your vendor has not updated your global search and replace utility to accommodate the new format, this is the file you want to use.

Current History File Elements - Old Format
"0" Code Changes
"2" Deletions


Reused Codes List: A few Taxonomy codes have been reused and are not included in the Taxonomy History file. This document lists those codes and provides their history. Examples:

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