This section describes SNOMED CT Release Format 2 (RF2), to be used for official production releases of SNOMED CT. This format is not mandated for internal terminology development usage or as an interchange mechanism between terminology development systems. RF2 provides a format that is flexible, unambiguous and useful. It was designed to strengthen SNOMED CT by providing a simple and stable format that enables innovation through adaptations to cater for changing requirements.
The component release files are defined in the following sections:
This specification was developed by harmonizing proposals reviewed by IHTSDO Enhanced Release Format Project Group, including:
Enhanced Release Format Specification (SNOMED International Proposed Specification , 21 June 2007);
Reference Set Specification (SNOMED International Proposed Specification , 31 July 2007);
Alternate Release Format (proposed by NEHTA and their Australian Affiliates).