Our Mission
This RefPack Registry is dedicated to providing a centralized, secure, and reliable platform for discovering, sharing, and managing standardized reference datasets using the RefPack format. Our goal is to simplify the way developers and data scientists work with common reference data, fostering consistency and trust across applications and organizations.
We believe that by adopting the RefPack specification, the community can significantly reduce the friction involved in data integration, ensure data integrity through signed manifests, and maintain clarity with versioned datasets.
What is RefPack?
RefPack is an open standard for packaging reference datasets. Each package is a versioned, signed archive containing data (typically JSON), metadata, an optional schema, a readme, and a changelog. This structured approach ensures that datasets are:
- Discoverable: Easy to find via registries like this one.
- Understandable: Clear metadata and documentation.
- Secure: Signed manifests verify authenticity and integrity.
- Versioned: Semantic versioning allows for predictable updates and rollbacks.
- Interoperable: A consistent format for use across various tools and platforms.
Learn more by reading the full RefPack Specification.
The Platform (RefStor)
This registry is powered by the RefStor platform, an open-source solution designed for managing RefPack datasets. RefStor provides the gallery you are currently browsing, a robust API for programmatic access, and core services for package validation, storage, and security.
Built on .NET and leveraging modern web technologies, RefStor aims to be an enterprise-ready system that is both powerful and extensible. Key components include:
- RefStor.Gallery: This Razor Pages web application.
- RefStor.WebApi: The RESTful API backend.
- RefStor.Core: Handles the core RefPack logic (parsing, validation, JWS, etc.).
- RefStor.Storage & Persistence: Modular components for storing package files and their metadata.
Interested in the technology or want to contribute? Visit the RefStor project on GitHub: https://github.com/coretravis/RefStor.
Our Vision for Reference Data
We envision a future where reference data is no longer a source of inconsistency or a bottleneck in development. By establishing a common standard like RefPack and providing accessible tools and registries, we hope to empower developers and organizations to:
- Spend less time cleaning and reconciling disparate data sources.
- Improve data quality and reliability in their applications.
- Easily share and consume valuable reference datasets within their teams or with the broader community.
- Build more robust and data-driven applications with greater confidence.
Get Involved
The RefPack standard and the RefStor platform are community efforts. Whether you're a developer, data provider, or just an enthusiast for structured data, there are many ways to get involved:
- Contribute to the RefPack Specification.
- Help develop the RefStor platform or the RefPack CLI tool.
- Publish high-quality datasets to this registry.
- Provide feedback and report issues.
- Spread the word about RefPack!
Check out our Contribution Guide for more details.
For any questions, please feel free to Contact Us.