1. A method of specifying data elements for a data component, the method comprising: creating a data type that includes several data elements, the data type to be context independent and to be used in creating data components for specific contexts; and associating each of the several data elements with a harmonization indicator that, when set, causes the associated data element to be included in the data components for any of the specific contexts unless explicitly excluded, and that, when not set, causes the associated data element not to be included in the data components for any of the specific contexts unless explicitly included.