Specifications

SBML Level 2 is the most recent stable version of SBML. It defines a richer set of constructs than the first generation of SBML (Level 1), but maintains much of the same structure. The Levels of SBML are meant to coexist, although we encourage software developers to target their efforts at the highest Level of SBML that their software can support.

SBML Level 2

Within a given SBML Level, minor revisions to SBML are termed Versions and constitute changes within a Level to correct, adjust and refine language features. Additionally, to cope with occasional minor editorial changes that may be needed, SBML specifications come with Release numbers.

SBML Level 2 Version 3

The most recent release of SBML Level 2 Version 3 is Release 2.

Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) Level 2: Structures and Facilities for Model Definitions Authors: Michael Hucka, Andrew Finney, Stefan Hoops, Sarah Keating and Nicolas Le Novère. This is the SBML Level 2 Version 3 specification, Release 2. It was made publicly available on 26 September 2007. SBML uses a subset of MathML to encode mathematical expressions. The XML Schema for MathML is included in the specification document itself, and it is provided here as a separate download for convenience.

Specification: Errata: Issue tracker: SBML XML Schema: MathML Schema:

Issues with the specification are tracked on the issue tracker whose link is indicated above. Accepted issues are periodically collected and listed on the Errata page indicated above. Once a general consensus emerges that the known errata warrant a new release of the SBML specification, a new Release is made.

Past Releases and Versions of SBML Level 2

Past Releases of SBML Level 2 Version 3 and past Versions of SBML Level 2 (i.e., Version 1 and Version 2) are available from a separate page.

SBML Level 1

Level 1 is simpler (but less powerful) than Level 2. The separate levels are intended to coexist; SBML Level 2 does not render Level 1 obsolete. Software tools that cannot support higher levels can go on using lower levels; tools that can read higher levels are assured of also being able to interpret models defined in the lower levels.

SBML Level 1 Version 2

The current definition of SBML Level 1 is Version 2.

Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) Level 1: Structures and Facilities for Basic Model Definitions Authors: Michael Hucka, Andrew Finney, Herbert Sauro, and Hamid Bolouri. This is the SBML Level 1 Version 2 specification, made publicly available on 28 August 2003. It supercedes the Level 1 Version 1 specification. Note that SBML Level 1 currently does not have release numbers because the release numbering system was introduced after the last version of Level 1 was produced. Future versions of SBML Level 1 may introduce a similar number scheme to that used for Level 2.

Specification: Errata: Issue tracker: SBML XML Schema:

Past Versions of SBML Level 1

Past Releases of SBML Level 1 are available from a separate page.