# From Database Records

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FAIRsharing **mandates** that each database record provide the type of identifier(s) it mints for its content in one of two ways, **either**:

1. add the standardised persistent identifier schema (e.g. DOI, ARK) to your record via the[ Relationships](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/associated-records) tab with the implements relationship type, **or** 
2. tick the box in the [General Information](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information) tab that confirms that the database uses an internal identifier schema instead of a standardised one. More information is available in our [identifier type](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/identifier-type) documentation.

It is **recommended** that you add relationships to any formats and terminologies that your database utilises; most often this is done through the use of *outputs* or *related to* relationships, though others may be appropriate.

Please add any other relationships that this database has with other resources registered in FAIRsharing.

*Please also see the general information regarding our* [*minimal curation requirements*](https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MchtBAOWXh2gO--zz7m/s/-Mcht5-9Lysnv_oQFJJh/~/changes/289/record-sections-and-fields/how-to-update-a-record#minimal-curation-requirements)*.*
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FAIRsharing record relationships allow you to enumerate all of the ways in which your database is related to other resources within the wider ecosystem of research standards, databases, policies and FAIR assistance components. The corresponding [Relation Graph](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/about-our-records/relation-graphs) for your record will not only showcase your resource's **interoperability** but also your **collaborations** and **engagement** with your community.

Our goal is to represent your database as accurately as possible, to showcase its attributes as well as its integration within the broader research landscape. 

## Full list of database relationships

This table summarises only those relationships available from within Database records. Other documentation in this section covers [standards](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/associated-records/from-standards-records), data [policies](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/associated-records/from-data-policy-records), [FAIRassist records](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/registry-type#fairassist), [collections](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/associated-records/from-collections) and [organisations](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/associated-records/from-organisations). The *Display Location* column below tells you where each relationship can be found in our record display.

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You may also wish to review the [types of databases](https://fairsharing.gitbook.io/fairsharing/record-sections-and-fields/general-information/registry-type) available in FAIRsharing.
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<table><thead><tr><th width="161">Label</th><th>Restrictions</th><th>Description</th><th>Display location</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>related_to</strong></em></td><td><strong>Any database to any standard or other database</strong></td><td><strong>This is our most generic relationship, and can be used between most record types. Use this if the more fine-grained relationships are not applicable.</strong></td><td>RELATED STANDARDS or RELATED DATABASES</td></tr><tr><td><em>implements</em></td><td>Any database to any standard; unless your database uses internal identifiers, at least one <strong>implements</strong> relationship to an <a href="../../record-sections-and-fields/general-information/registry-type#standards">identifier schema</a> <strong>must</strong> be used to show the type of persistent identifier(s) your database utilises. If the id schema is instead used as a type of cross reference (e.g. SMILES or InChi) please use <em>outputs.</em></td><td>This is our most generic database -> standard relationship. If your database uses a standard internally for some purpose, e.g. perhaps it utilises an RDF triplestore, but the other more precise relationships (<em>accepts</em>, <em>outputs</em>) are not suitable. Useful to e.g. standards developers, who want to know who is using their standard (even if only internally).</td><td>RELATED STANDARDS</td></tr><tr><td><em>accepts</em></td><td>Any database to any standard</td><td>Suitable for when a database accepts data that follows a particular standard. Such information is useful e.g. to researchers who need to know what standard to use so that they may deposit data with your database.</td><td>RELATED STANDARDS</td></tr><tr><td><em>outputs</em></td><td>Any database to any standard</td><td>Suitable for when a database outputs data that follows a particular standard</td><td>RELATED STANDARDS</td></tr><tr><td><em>extends</em></td><td>Any database to any other database</td><td>This is our most generic database -> database relationship. Useful when your resource extends a database, but other more precise relationships (<em>shares_code_with, shares_data_with</em>) are not suitable. </td><td>RELATED DATABASES</td></tr><tr><td><em>shares_code_with</em></td><td>Any database to any other database</td><td>This database shares a portion of code with another database, e.g. the <a href="https://beta.fairsharing.org/FAIRsharing.t2e1ss">Dataverse</a> repositories.</td><td>RELATED DATABASES</td></tr><tr><td><em>shares_data_with</em></td><td>Any database to any other database</td><td>This database shares a portion of data with another database. This relation does not specify if the data being shared is from the resource you are editing, the resource being linked, or a combination of both.</td><td>RELATED DATABASES</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:red;">deprecates</mark></td><td><mark style="color:red;">Any database to any other database of the same type</mark></td><td><mark style="color:red;">The linked resource has been retired as it is no longer active or actively maintained</mark></td><td>RELATED DATABASES</td></tr><tr><td><em>recommends</em></td><td><em>any policy to any database, standard, or FAIRassist record</em></td><td><em>This relationship is not accessible from a database record; however, any policies that recommend your record will be automatically displayed.</em></td><td>IN POLICIES</td></tr><tr><td><em>collects</em></td><td><em>any collection to any database, standard, collection, policy, or FAIRassist record</em></td><td><em>This relationship is not accessible from a database record; however, any collections that include your record will be automatically displayed.</em></td><td>IN COLLECTIONS</td></tr></tbody></table>

You may layer these relationships to more precisely describe what is available to your users. As the maintainer of a record, choose the level of detail that best expresses the relationships your resource has with the wider research landscape.

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Adding your record to a data **policy that recommends** it or a **collection that collects** it requires updates to that policy or collection; such edits cannot be performed in your own record. If you would like your record added to a policy or collection, please [**get in touch**](mailto:contact@fairsharing.org) with our curation team.
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