Extension Mechanisms#
The FAIR Data JSON Schema extends the standard JSON Schema (Draft 2020-12) through four primary mechanisms. These allow for rich semantic metadata and data stewardship features while maintaining 100% compatibility with standard validators.
🏷️ Annotations
The lightest way to add metadata. Custom keywords are used as annotations that validators ignore but specialized tools use.
📚 Vocabularies
Define new sets of keywords and their associated validation logic using the $vocabulary keyword.
🗣️ Dialects
A specific “flavor” of JSON Schema that combines multiple vocabularies under a custom $schema URI.
💎 Refinements
Advanced constraints that go beyond simple data types, such as physical units or semantic classifications.