Introduction
Dimensions are a combination of a numeric value, a unit for the value, and a classification as to what sort of value it is. They can be measured on the entity by some means, such as counting or using an instrument. The data structure is commonly used for physical things (e.g. height and width), but is also applicable to textual works (e.g. number of words) or even people (e.g. height, weight). If there is a countable feature, then that can be expressed as a dimension using this data structure.
Property Definitions
The dimension data structure has the following properties.
Properties of Dimensions
| Property Name | Datatype | Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
type |
string | Required | The class for the name, which MUST be the value "Dimension" |
_label |
string | Recommended | A human readable label, intended for developers |
value |
number | Required | The numeric value of the dimension |
unit |
json object | Required | The unit for the dimension, which MUST follow the requirements for a MeasurementUnit |
classified_as |
array | Recommended | An array of json objects, each of which is a further classification of the dimension and MUST follow the requirements for Type |
identified_by |
array | Recommended | An array of json objects, each of which is a textual representation of the structured data in the dimension, and MUST follow the requirements for Name |
upper_value_limit |
number | Optional | A number, which represents the highest possible value for the dimension |
lower_value_limit |
number | Optional | A number, which represents the lowest possible value for the dimension |
referred_to_by |
array | Optional | An array of json objects, each of which is either a reference to a textual work that refers to the dimension, or an embedded statement about the dimension. |
assigned_by |
array | Optional | An array of json objects, each of which is a measurement activity for the dimension, as below |
Properties of Measurements
| Property Name | Datatype | Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
type |
string | Required | The class for the measurement, which MUST be the value "AttributeAssignment" |
_label |
string | Recommended | A human readable label for the measurement, intended for developers |
classified_as |
array | Recommended | An array of json objects, each of which is a further classification of the measurement and MUST follow the requirements for Type |
carried_out_by |
array | Recommended | An array of json objects, each of which is a reference to a Person or Group |
timespan |
json object | Optional | A json object which MUST follow the requirements for timespans |
referred_to_by |
array | Optional | An array of json objects, each of which is an embedded statement about the measurement |
Property Diagram
Incoming Properties
Dimension instances are typically found as the object of the following properties. This list is not exhaustive, but is intended to cover the likely cases.
| Property Name | Source Endpoint | Description |
|---|---|---|
dimension |
Physical Object, Digital Object, and others | The dimension instance is a dimension of the source entity, especially for physical and digital objects |
duration |
TimeSpan in All | The dimension is the length of time (duration) of the actual time span, within the boundaries described in the TimeSpan instance, which can be present in all endpoints |
Example
A Human-Made Object instance has a dimension of 24 (+/- 2) inches high, as measured by a curator:
- The dimension has a URI given as an identifier in
id - It has a
typeof "Dimension" - It is
classified_asa height, withidof aat:300055644, and atypeofType - It has a
valueof 24, anupper_value_limitof 26, and alower_value_limitof 22, for 24 plus or minus 2. - It has a
unitof inches, withidof aat:300379100 and atypeofMeasurementUnit - It is
identified_bya Name, which isclassified_asa display title, with anidof aat:300404669 andtypeof Type. The Name hascontentof the string "24 inches high (+/- 2 inches)" - It is
assigned_bya measurement, which...- ... has a URI given in
id - ... has a
typeofAttributeAssignment - ... is
classified_asmeasuring, withidof aat:300053578 and atypeof Type - ... is
carried_out_bythe curator, being a reference to an instance in a person endpoint
- ... has a URI given in
{
"@context": "https://linked.art/ns/v1/linked-art.json",
"id": "https://linked.art/example/object/6",
"type": "HumanMadeObject",
"dimension": [
{
"type": "Dimension",
"classified_as": [
{
"id": "http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300055644",
"type": "Type",
"_label": "Height"
}
],
"value": 24,
"upper_value_limit": 26,
"lower_value_limit": 22,
"unit": {
"id": "http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300379100",
"type": "MeasurementUnit",
"_label": "inches"
},
"identified_by": [
{
"type": "Name",
"classified_as": [
{
"id": "http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300404669",
"type": "Type",
"_label": "Display Title"
}
],
"content": "24 inches high (+/- 2 inches)"
}
],
"assigned_by": [
{
"type": "AttributeAssignment",
"classified_as": [
{
"id": "http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300053578",
"type": "Type",
"_label": "Measuring"
}
],
"carried_out_by": [
{
"type": "Person",
"_label": "Curator"
}
]
}
]
}
]
}
