# Graph Definition

A formal computable definition of a graph of resources - that is, a coherent set of resources that form a graph by following references. The Graph Definition resource defines a set and makes rules about the set. The Graph Definition resource can be used to:

- Summarize a set of profiles on resources
- Define a graph of resources to return in a query
- Define a graph of resources to include in a document
- Document rules about the relationship between a set of resources e.g. must all resources concern the same patient?

## Elements

| Name | Required | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| url |  | uri | Canonical identifier for this graph definition, represented as a URI (globally unique)  
An absolute URI that is used to identify this graph definition... |
| version |  | string | Business version of the graph definition  
The identifier that is used to identify this version... |
| name | ✓ | string | Name for this graph definition (computer friendly)  
A natural language name identifying the graph definition... |
| status | ✓ | code | draft \| active \| retired \| unknown  
The status of this graph definition... |
| experimental |  | boolean | For testing purposes, not real usage  
A Boolean value to indicate that this graph definition... |
| date |  | dateTime | Date last changed  
The date (and optionally time) when the graph definition... |
| publisher |  | string | Name of the publisher (organization or individual)  
The name of the organization or individual that published... |
| contact |  | [ContactDetail](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/contactdetail/index.html)\[\] | Contact details for the publisher  
Details to assist a user in finding and communicating... |
| description |  | markdown | Natural language description of the graph definition  
A free text natural language description... |
| useContext |  | [UsageContext](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/usagecontext/index.html)\[\] | The context that the content is intended to support  
The content was developed with a focus and intent... |
| jurisdiction |  | [CodeableConcept](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/codeableconcept/index.html)\[\] | Intended jurisdiction for graph definition (if applicable)  
A legal or geographic region in which the graph definition... |
| purpose |  | markdown | Why this graph definition is defined  
Explanation of why this graph definition is needed... |
| start | ✓ | code | Type of resource at which the graph starts  
The type of FHIR resource at which instances of this graph start. |
| profile |  | canonical | Profile on base resource  
The profile that describes the use of the base resource... |
| link |  | GraphDefinitionLink\[\] | Links this graph makes rules about  
Links this graph makes rules about... |
| id |  | string | Unique id for inter-element referencing  
Unique id for the element within a resource... |
| extension |  | [Extension](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/extension/index.html)\[\] | Additional content defined by implementations  
May be used to represent additional information... |
| modifierExtension |  | [Extension](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/extension/index.html)\[\] | Extensions that cannot be ignored even if unrecognized  
May be used to represent additional information... |

## Search Parameters

| Name | Type | Description | Expression |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| context | token | A use context assigned to the graph definition | GraphDefinition.useContext.value.ofType(CodeableConcept) |
| context-quantity | quantity | A quantity- or range-valued use context assigned to | GraphDefinition.useContext.value.ofType(Quantity) |  
| context-type | token | A type of use context assigned to the graph definition | GraphDefinition.useContext.code |
| date | date | The graph definition publication date | GraphDefinition.date |
| description | string | The description of the graph definition | GraphDefinition.description |
| jurisdiction | token | Intended jurisdiction for the graph definition | GraphDefinition.jurisdiction |
| name | string | Computationally friendly name of the graph definition | GraphDefinition.name |
| publisher | string | Name of the publisher of the graph definition | GraphDefinition.publisher |
| status | token | The current status of the graph definition | GraphDefinition.status |
| url | uri | The uri that identifies the graph definition | GraphDefinition.url |
| version | token | The business version of the graph definition | GraphDefinition.version |

## Inherited Elements

| Name | Required | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| id |  | string | Logical id of this artifact | The logical id of the resource... |
| meta |  | [Meta](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/meta/index.html) | Metadata about the resource | The metadata about the resource... |
| implicitRules |  | uri | A set of rules under which this content was created | A reference to a set of rules that were... |
| language |  | code | Language of the resource content | The base language in which the resource is written... |
| text |  | [Narrative](/content/docs/api/fhir/datatypes/narrative/index.html) | Text summary of the resource... |