Before running the SNOMED CT load script, ensure you have at least 10Gb of free disk space. Once the load is completed 4Gb can be released by deleting the Release package folder and zip file.

The following figures apply to the SNOMED CT International Release package 2019-07-31.

  • Release Package zip file: 0.5 Gb
  • Release Package folder: 3.5 Gb
  • Installed database up to: 5.5 Gb

Open the Terminal Application

Change Directories to the SnomedRfsMySql Folder

You must change directories to the SnomedRfsMySql folder before starting the loader script.

cd "$HOME/SnomedRfsMySql"



Start the SNOMED CT Loaded Script for MySQL

As shown above you must be in the SnomedRfsMySql folder to run the loader script. Additionally as shown below you must include the name of the subfolder (bash) when running the loader script. The script may not run correctly if called from a different current folder or without the including the subfolder name.

bash/snomed_load_mysql





Respond to Prompts from the Script

You will be prompted to enter the following data when the script is run.

PromptResponse optionsNotes
Loader script identifying tag Leave blank to accept the default
Recommended option
Uses the default create_latest script in the SnomedRfsMySql package.
Enter the name of one of the available scripts (these are listed above the prompt)

Uses the specified script to control the process of loading the SNOMED CT data into the database.
Scripts keys have two parts a prefix and suffix separated by an underscore. The prefix indicates the kind of action:

  • create : Create a new database and load the data from the specified version.
  • update : Update the views and procedures in the database without recreating the database or reloading the the tables.
  • extend : Extend the database by loading data from another package to the existing database.

The suffix indicates the edition and version to which this applies:

  • latest : The most recent International Edition package
  • yyyymmdd: The International Edition for the stated year month and day
  • packageyyyymmdd: The identified Edition or Package for the stated year month and day.

Release package path

You must enter the full path of the release package folder or release package zip archive.

You will not be prompted for this if you select an update script option.

The path specified must point to a release package zip archive or an unzipped release package folder.

  • There is no need to include the .zip extension when referring to a release package archive or folder.
    • The script first looks for an unzipped release folder with the relevant name.
    • If the folder is not found the script looks for a zip archive with the same name plus the .zip extension.
    • If the zip file is found it is unzipped and the resulting folder is used.

Database name

Leave blank to accept the default

Default option

  • Uses the database name snomedct.
  • If the snomedct database already exists, it will be dropped (deleted) and recreated.

Specify a name (must begin with the letter s followed by lowercase letters and/or digits)

Uses the database name provided.

  • Using different names allows several SNOMED CT databases to co-exist (e.g. for different Editions)
  • Each SNOMED CT database will use about 5Gb of disk space ... so using different names may fill your available disk space!
  • If the named database already exists, it will be dropped (deleted) and recreated.
MySQL usernameLeave blank to accept the default

The default is root.

Enter your MySQL usernameThe username chosen must be an account with administrator access rights enabling database creation.


Wait for the Database Password Prompt

Before the creating the database the script generates an additional release file containing the transitive closure (this is used to optimize testing and listing of subtypes). This may take between 2 and 5 minutes to complete.

Respond to the Database Password Prompt

When the script starts to access MySQL you will then be prompted for your database password.

Wait for the Load Process to Complete