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:

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

—     definition of application schemas;

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

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

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

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

This document does not apply to:

—     choice of one particular conceptual schema language for application schemas;

—     definition of any particular application schemas;

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

—     representation of metadata;

—     rules for mapping one application schema to another;

—     implementation of the application schema in a computer environment;

—     computer system and application software design;

—     programming.