Codex Structural Vocabulary v1.0

Publication record

Purpose

The Codex Structural Vocabulary establishes the canonical public vocabulary through which semantic identity, meaning, relationship, provenance, trust and continuity can be represented consistently across systems, actors, contexts and time.

It defines structural concepts rather than enterprise concepts.

It provides the semantic foundation upon which future Codex Commons artefacts are built.

Structural scope

The Codex Structural Vocabulary is intentionally small.

Codex Commons does not attempt to define every concept in the world. It publishes the structural concepts required for coherent meaning.

This artefact establishes the public structural grammar upon which future Codex Commons artefacts, ontologies, semantic fragments, mappings and machine-readable representations may depend.

Vocabulary structure

The vocabulary is organised into six groups:

1. Identity — establishes what something is, how it is recognised and how equivalent representations remain connected.
2. Meaning — establishes the concepts through which interpretation becomes possible.
3. Relationship — establishes how concepts participate together within applicable contexts.
4. Trust — establishes why a representation may be relied upon.
5. Continuity — establishes how meaning survives change.
6. Publication — establishes public semantic standing.

Structural relationships

Concept template

Every concept in this vocabulary uses the same structure:

• Concept Name
• Canonical ID
• Definition
• Purpose — why the concept exists.
• Related Concepts — links to other concepts within the vocabulary.
• Examples — one simple conceptual example.
• Normative Notes — short constitutional guidance where appropriate.
• Publication Status — Published.
• Version — 1.0.
• Steward — Codex Resonance.
• Machine Representation — Reserved for future publication.

Group 1 — Identity

Identity establishes what something is, how it is recognised and how equivalent representations remain connected.

Identity

Canonical ID

codex:identity

Definition

Identity is the structural condition through which a subject can be recognised as the same subject across representations, contexts and time.

Purpose

Identity exists to preserve recognisable sameness without requiring every representation of a subject to be identical.

Related Concepts

Subject, Representation, Reference, Equivalence, Continuity.

Examples

A named subject may appear in different records while retaining a stable recognised identity.

Normative Notes

Identity should be distinguished from any single label, description or representation.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Subject

Canonical ID

codex:subject

Definition

A subject is that which is being identified, represented, described or related within a coherent semantic structure.

Purpose

Subject exists to separate the thing under consideration from the representations used to refer to it.

Related Concepts

Identity, Representation, Reference, Relationship.

Examples

A subject may be represented by a name, identifier or description.

Normative Notes

A subject should not be collapsed into one representation of that subject.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Representation

Canonical ID

codex:representation

Definition

A representation is an expression, record or form through which a subject, concept or relationship is made available for interpretation.

Purpose

Representation exists because meaning must be carried in forms that can move across actors, systems, contexts and time.

Related Concepts

Identity, Subject, Reference, Equivalence, Provenance.

Examples

A written definition is a representation of a concept.

Normative Notes

A representation should retain sufficient context to support coherent interpretation.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Reference

Canonical ID

codex:reference

Definition

A reference is a directed means of indicating a subject, concept, representation or artefact.

Purpose

Reference exists to make semantic connection possible without restating the whole thing being referred to.

Related Concepts

Identity, Representation, Relationship, Canonical Artefact.

Examples

A canonical identifier may function as a reference to a published artefact.

Normative Notes

A reference should be resolvable within its declared context.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Equivalence

Canonical ID

codex:equivalence

Definition

Equivalence is the recognised condition under which two or more representations are treated as referring to the same subject, concept or meaning for a stated purpose.

Purpose

Equivalence exists to preserve connection between variant representations while retaining the conditions under which they are considered equivalent.

Related Concepts

Identity, Representation, Reference, Scope, Authority.

Examples

Two labels may be treated as equivalent within a defined vocabulary.

Normative Notes

Equivalence should be stated, scoped and supportable; it should not be assumed from similarity alone.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Group 2 — Meaning

Meaning establishes the concepts through which interpretation becomes possible.

Concept

Canonical ID

codex:concept

Definition

A concept is a coherent unit of meaning that can be defined, interpreted, related and reused.

Purpose

Concept exists to provide a stable semantic unit for coherent understanding.

Related Concepts

Meaning, Definition, Interpretation, Semantic Coherence.

Examples

A defined term in this vocabulary is a concept.

Normative Notes

A concept should have a defined scope and should not rely on unstated interpretation.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Meaning

Canonical ID

codex:meaning

Definition

Meaning is the interpreted significance of a concept, representation or relationship within a context.

Purpose

Meaning exists so that representations can be understood consistently rather than merely stored or transmitted.

Related Concepts

Concept, Definition, Interpretation, Context, Semantic Coherence.

Examples

The same word may carry different meaning when interpreted in different contexts.

Normative Notes

Meaning should be interpreted with its context, boundary and constraint visible.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Definition

Canonical ID

codex:definition

Definition

A definition is a bounded statement of the meaning of a concept.

Purpose

Definition exists to stabilise interpretation and reduce ambiguity.

Related Concepts

Concept, Meaning, Boundary, Scope.

Examples

Each concept in this artefact has a definition.

Normative Notes

A definition should state meaning without silently expanding authority, scope or use.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Interpretation

Canonical ID

codex:interpretation

Definition

Interpretation is the act of deriving meaning from a representation within a context.

Purpose

Interpretation exists because meaning is not carried by representation alone.

Related Concepts

Meaning, Context, Constraint, Authority.

Examples

A definition may be interpreted differently if its context is not declared.

Normative Notes

Interpretation should remain traceable to the representation and context that support it.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Semantic Coherence

Canonical ID

codex:semantic-coherence

Definition

Semantic coherence is the condition in which meaning remains interpretable, connected and accountable across representations, contexts and time.

Purpose

Semantic Coherence exists to preserve meaningful continuity as representations change or move.

Related Concepts

Meaning, Context, Constraint, Lineage, Continuity.

Examples

A concept remains coherent when revised definitions preserve traceable continuity with prior meaning.

Normative Notes

Semantic coherence should not be inferred from consistency of wording alone.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Group 3 — Relationship

Relationship establishes how concepts participate together within applicable contexts.

Relationship

Canonical ID

codex:relationship

Definition

A relationship is a stated connection between subjects, concepts, representations or artefacts.

Purpose

Relationship exists to make participation and dependency visible.

Related Concepts

Subject, Concept, Context, Scope, Reference.

Examples

One concept may depend on another concept for interpretation.

Normative Notes

A relationship should be named or described clearly enough to support interpretation.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Context

Canonical ID

codex:context

Definition

Context is the surrounding condition within which meaning is interpreted and relationships apply.

Purpose

Context exists to prevent meanings and relationships from being detached from the conditions that make them valid.

Related Concepts

Meaning, Interpretation, Scope, Boundary, Constraint.

Examples

A concept may have one meaning in a structural vocabulary and another in a local vocabulary.

Normative Notes

Context should be explicit where interpretation depends on it.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Scope

Canonical ID

codex:scope

Definition

Scope is the declared range within which a concept, relationship, interpretation or artefact applies.

Purpose

Scope exists to limit application and avoid overextension.

Related Concepts

Context, Boundary, Constraint, Publication Status.

Examples

This vocabulary applies to structural semantic concepts, not enterprise domain concepts.

Normative Notes

Scope should be stated before an artefact is treated as authoritative.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Boundary

Canonical ID

codex:boundary

Definition

A boundary is the declared limit of what a concept, artefact or interpretation includes and excludes.

Purpose

Boundary exists to prevent semantic overreach.

Related Concepts

Scope, Constraint, Definition, Authority.

Examples

This artefact excludes customers, products and enterprise decision rights.

Normative Notes

A boundary should identify what is not governed as well as what is governed.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Constraint

Canonical ID

codex:constraint

Definition

A constraint is a stated condition that limits, qualifies or governs interpretation, relationship or use.

Purpose

Constraint exists to preserve meaning under conditions where unrestricted interpretation would create ambiguity or drift.

Related Concepts

Context, Scope, Boundary, Authority, Evidence.

Examples

A concept may be used only within a declared publication status.

Normative Notes

A constraint should be explicit, traceable and capable of being applied consistently.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Group 4 — Trust

Trust establishes why a representation may be relied upon.

Provenance

Canonical ID

codex:provenance

Definition

Provenance is information about the origin, stewardship or publication history of a representation or artefact.

Purpose

Provenance exists to support reliance by making origin and standing visible.

Related Concepts

Evidence, Lineage, Stewardship, Publication.

Examples

A published artefact may state its steward, version and publication status.

Normative Notes

Provenance should not be treated as proof of truth; it establishes traceable origin and standing.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Lineage

Canonical ID

codex:lineage

Definition

Lineage is the traceable sequence through which a representation, concept or artefact has developed.

Purpose

Lineage exists to make continuity and change intelligible.

Related Concepts

Provenance, Revision, Supersession, Continuity.

Examples

A revised artefact may record the prior version from which it was derived.

Normative Notes

Lineage should preserve enough history to explain material change.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Evidence

Canonical ID

codex:evidence

Definition

Evidence is the supporting basis through which a representation, interpretation or relationship can be assessed.

Purpose

Evidence exists to make reliance accountable rather than merely asserted.

Related Concepts

Trust, Provenance, Authority, Constraint.

Examples

A published definition may cite the artefact that establishes its standing.

Normative Notes

Evidence should be relevant to the claim or interpretation it supports.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Trust

Canonical ID

codex:trust

Definition

Trust is the warranted reliance placed on a representation, relationship or artefact within a declared context.

Purpose

Trust exists to distinguish supported reliance from unsupported assumption.

Related Concepts

Evidence, Provenance, Authority, Context.

Examples

A published artefact may be relied upon for its stated definitions within its scope.

Normative Notes

Trust should be contextual, supported and bounded.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Authority

Canonical ID

codex:authority

Definition

Authority is the recognised standing to define, publish, interpret or maintain a concept, representation or artefact.

Purpose

Authority exists to make stewardship and decision standing explicit.

Related Concepts

Stewardship, Publication, Provenance, Trust.

Examples

Codex Resonance is the steward of this vocabulary.

Normative Notes

Authority should not be implied where stewardship or publication standing is not declared.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Group 5 — Continuity

Continuity establishes how meaning survives change.

Version

Canonical ID

codex:version

Definition

A version is an identified state of an artefact, representation or concept at a point in its publication or development history.

Purpose

Version exists to distinguish one recognised state from another.

Related Concepts

Revision, Supersession, Continuity, Publication Status.

Examples

This artefact is version 1.0.

Normative Notes

A version should be identifiable and referable.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Revision

Canonical ID

codex:revision

Definition

A revision is a change to a representation, concept or artefact that creates a new recognised state.

Purpose

Revision exists to allow change while preserving traceability.

Related Concepts

Version, Lineage, Supersession, Continuity.

Examples

A later edition of this vocabulary may revise a definition.

Normative Notes

A revision should preserve a record of material change.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Supersession

Canonical ID

codex:supersession

Definition

Supersession is the condition in which a later artefact, version or representation replaces an earlier one for a declared purpose.

Purpose

Supersession exists to prevent conflicting versions from being treated as simultaneously current without qualification.

Related Concepts

Version, Revision, Publication Status, Continuity.

Examples

A future version may supersede version 1.0 within its stated scope.

Normative Notes

Supersession should state what is replaced and from when.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Continuity

Canonical ID

codex:continuity

Definition

Continuity is the preserved connection of identity, meaning, lineage or standing through change.

Purpose

Continuity exists so that change does not break coherent interpretation.

Related Concepts

Identity, Semantic Coherence, Lineage, Revision.

Examples

A concept may change wording while retaining traceable continuity of meaning.

Normative Notes

Continuity should be supported by lineage, version and revision records.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Group 6 — Publication

Publication establishes public semantic standing.

Publication

Canonical ID

codex:publication

Definition

Publication is the act through which an artefact is given declared public standing, version and status.

Purpose

Publication exists to distinguish accepted public artefacts from drafts, research notes or internal material.

Related Concepts

Canonical Artefact, Publication Status, Stewardship, Provenance.

Examples

This vocabulary is published in the Commons Register.

Normative Notes

Publication should identify status, version, steward and scope.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Stewardship

Canonical ID

codex:stewardship

Definition

Stewardship is the responsibility for maintaining the standing, coherence and continuity of an artefact or vocabulary.

Purpose

Stewardship exists to make maintenance responsibility explicit.

Related Concepts

Authority, Publication, Provenance, Continuity.

Examples

Codex Resonance stewards this vocabulary.

Normative Notes

Stewardship should be stated so reliance is not anonymous.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Canonical Artefact

Canonical ID

codex:canonical-artefact

Definition

A canonical artefact is a published artefact recognised as authoritative for its stated scope, version and publication status.

Purpose

Canonical Artefact exists to provide stable public semantic standing.

Related Concepts

Publication, Publication Status, Version, Authority.

Examples

Codex Structural Vocabulary v1.0 is a canonical artefact.

Normative Notes

Canonical standing applies only within the artefact’s declared scope and version.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine Representation

Reserved for future publication.

Publication Status

Canonical ID

codex:publication-status

Definition

Publication Status is the declared state of an artefact in its publication lifecycle.

Purpose

Publication Status exists to clarify whether an artefact is draft, candidate, published, superseded, deprecated or withdrawn.

Related Concepts

Publication, Version, Supersession, Canonical Artefact.

Examples

This artefact has Publication Status: Published.

Normative Notes

Publication Status should be visible wherever an artefact is relied upon.

Publication Status

Published

Version

1.0

Steward

Codex Resonance

Machine representation

Reserved for future publication.

Boundary of the vocabulary

The Codex Structural Vocabulary does not define:

• Customers
• Products
• Invoices
• Orders
• Employees
• Assets
• Services
• Policies
• Processes
• Enterprise authorities
• Decision rights
• Intent Scopes
• Enterprise Products

These belong to enterprise constitutional vocabularies rather than the Codex Structural Vocabulary.

The Codex Structural Vocabulary defines the structural grammar through which those vocabularies may later be represented coherently. It does not define the enterprise concepts themselves.

This boundary preserves the distinction between public semantic structures and institutional authority.

Relationship to Arqua

Codex Commons publishes the structural vocabulary through which coherent meaning can be represented.

Arqua establishes how institutions govern accepted meaning, authority, context and action.

Publication lifecycle

Future artefacts may extend this vocabulary through:

• Semantic fragments
• Canonical ontologies
• Reference mappings
• Machine-readable schemas
• Conformance rules
• Interpretive lineage
• Constraint libraries
• Publication manifests
• Version mappings

These future artefacts may reference the Codex Structural Vocabulary as their structural semantic foundation.

Related pages

• Commons Register
• Codex Commons
• The Codex Layer
• Arqua