Version 6.7.0 August, 2024
Deprecation Notice
LexEVS is deprecated and will no longer be supported after 2024
Application Overview
LexEVS is a legacy EVS terminology server library, developed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). LexEVS provides a common terminology model and open access to a wide range of terminologies, terminology value sets, and cross-terminology mappings needed by NCI and its partners. As of version 6.7, LexEVS is no longer available as an independent service, instead serving as a library jar to interface with local lucene indexes and MySQL database.
NCI's EVS is the primary user of the LexEVS library. The library supports the NCI Terms and NCI Metathesaurus browsers. LexEVS provides a collection of program interfaces, affording the browser applications open access to both controlled terminologies available from the NCI and other supported terminologies. Refer to the EVS Wiki for further information.
The name LexEVS highlights the merging of LexGrid, LexBIG, and EVS technologies and designates an entire suite of applications. In this suite, LexGrid is the underlying model for standard storage of controlled vocabularies and ontologies. The LexBIG API is the set of services that EVS adapters use to store and retrieve terminology metadata. LexEVS APIs are a combination of convenience methods and the LexBIG API (combining LexBIG and the EVS adapters into one set of services). For detailed information, refer to the LexEVS architecture overview.
After you have a chance to get familiar with the LexEVS suite, review functionality LexEVS 6.5.4 Functionality Overview. LexEVS functionality since 6.5.4 is unchanged despite extensive underlying infrastructure updates.
API's, Installation, and Downloads
LexEVS offers a regular java api in both Java 8 and Java 17 formats. It currently uses the MySQL database as as its datastore.
The installation overview provides an introduction to the different environments that can be installed. Refer to the LexEVS 6.x Installation Guide for more information.
The LexEVS 6.5.4 Installation Options identify the download files for each LexEVS environment that can be installed (Local Runtime and Distributed Services).
Forum and Support
LexEVS Issues and Discussion 
Users and developers can report and discuss issues regarding the LexEVS application on its GitHub site.
What's New in LexEVS 6.7.0
Features - refer to LexEVS 6.7.0 Release Notes
LexEVS 6.7.0 Technical stack updates.
Tomcat 9 compatibility
Java 17
CTS2 References on this Wiki
LexEVS 6.x REST CTS2 Service - CTS2 service is a REST Service supported by the LexEVS library. It has been deprecated and will be discontinued in August 2024
Contributions
The contribution process is described in LexEVS Community Code Contribution. LexEVS source code is in the NCIEVS channel of Github
Presentations, Demos, and Other Materials
Presentations
Refer to LexEVS Presentations.
Examples
- Query Service with Program Examples, included in the LexEVS base installation. Both Lexical Set Operations and Graph Operations are included for common vocabulary functions using a sample vocabulary and CodedNodeSet. This is described in the LexEVS 6.x Installation Guide.
- Example Programs and Verification Test Suite, included in the LexEVS base installation. The Example Programs provide a limited interactive demonstration of LexEVS capabilities. Both are explained in the LexEVS 6.x Installation Guide.
- LexEVS Example Code zip file. These are code examples for subjects of frequently asked questions such as creating a coded node graph using the LexBIG convenience methods.
Documentation and Training
- LexEVS 6.5.4 Release Notes
- LexEVS 6.x Installation Guide - outlines the supported configurations and technical installation instructions for LexEVS Vocabulary Services
- LexEVS 6.x Administration Guide - outlines the environment configuration from the perspective of an existing installation
- LexEVS 6.x Programmer's Guide - explains the LexEVS API (services, extensions, utilities, and GUI); also many related APIs
- LexEVS 6.x Design and Architecture Guide - explains the LexGrid model and the LexBIG services
- LexEVS 6.x Value Set and Pick List Definition Guide - explains the LexEVS 6.x Value Set and Pick List Definition documentation
- LexEVS 6.x Loader Guide -- intended for a LexEVS developer and provides information about the loaders provided, mapping, and how to create your own loaders using the loader framework
- LexEVS 6.x OWL Export Guide - explains the steps necessary to export content in OWL/RDF format
- LexEVS 6.5.4 Javadocs download - has several parts to consult depending on what you are looking for. One download includes all the Javadocs.
