Specifications

SBML Level 3 is the most recent specification of SBML. It is a modular language, with a core comprising a complete format that can be used alone. Additional Level 3 packages are layered on this core to provide additional, optional features.

SBML Levels are intended to coexist. For example, SBML Level 3 does not render Level 2 obsolete, and Level 2-compatible models and software tools still continue to be used. (For more information about the notion of "SBML Levels", please see the description in the FAQ.)

Please notify the SBML Editors of problems and other issues in the documents, or any topics, using the issue trackers indicated below for each specification.

SBML Level 3

At this time, only Version 1 Core of SBML Level 3 has been released. Definitions of packages to go with Version 1 Core are expected in the very near future. When the specifications become available, they will be listed below. For now, you can find information about the ongoing activities in the community wiki.

SBML Level 3 Version 1 Core

The most recent release is Release 1 Candidate. The release is labeled a candidate until two independent software implementations are reported by the SBML-using community. At that time, if no significant errors or issues are reported, the specification will be considered final. The use of the term "candidate" should not discourage implementation of support for this specification. This definition of SBML Level 3 Version 1 Core Release 1 will not be modified unless errors are found.

The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML): Language Specification for Level 3 Version 1 Core Authors: Michael Hucka, Frank Bergmann, Stefan Hoops, Sarah M. Keating, Sven Sahle, and Darren J. Wilkinson This is the Release 1 Candidate specification of 31 Dec. 2009. The specification link points to the record in Nature Precedings; that page also describes how to cite the specification. If you have problems accessing the file, you may try the local copy instead.

Specification → Errata → Submit issue → ← View issues Schemas →

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 specification come with Release numbers within Versions.

Developers and modelers are strongly encouraged to support the latest Version in any new software development and modeling efforts, as well as to update actively-supported software tools they may be involved in developing or maintaining.

SBML Level 2 Version 4

The most recent release of SBML Level 2 Version 4 is Release 1.

Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) Level 2: Structures and Facilities for Model Definitions Authors: Michael Hucka, Stefan Hoops, Sarah M. Keating, Nicolas Le Novère, Sven Sahle, and Darren J. Wilkinson This is the SBML Level 2 Version 4 specification, Release 1. It was made publicly available on 22 December 2008. The document link refers to the record in Nature Precedings; that page also describes how to cite the specification. If you have any problems accessing the PDF file from Nature Precedings, a backup copy of the document is also available locally from this server.

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 4 and past Versions of SBML Level 2 (i.e., Versions 1–3) 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.

Developers and modelers are strongly encouraged to support the latest Version in any new software development and modeling efforts, as well as to update actively-supported software tools they may be involved in developing or maintaining.

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.