This document defines the General Feature Model (GFM) as the metamodel for creating application schemas in the context of geo-information modelling. The GFM is explained and implemented as rules for creating and documenting application schemas, including principles for the definition of features.

This document is applicable to:

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conceptual modelling of features and their properties from a universe of discourse;

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definition of application schemas;

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general rules for using a conceptual schema language for application schemas;

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rules for application schemas using UML as the conceptual schema language;

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transition from the concepts in the conceptual model to the data types in the application schema;

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integration of standardized schemas from other ISO geographic information standards with the application schema.

This document does not apply to:

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choice of one particular conceptual schema language for application schemas;

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definition of any particular application schemas;

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representation of feature types and their properties in a feature catalogue;

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representation of metadata;

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rules for mapping one application schema to another;

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implementation of the application schema in a computer environment;

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computer system and application software design;

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programming.