def flatten_metadata_path(metadata_path)
      flat_path = transform_path(metadata_path)
      if @formatted_path_prefix && !(flat_path.start_with?(RS_METADATA_PREFIX) || flat_path.start_with?(@formatted_path_prefix))
        return @formatted_path_prefix + flat_path
      end
      return flat_path
    end
def flatten_metadata_path(metadata_path)
      flat_path = transform_path(metadata_path)
      if @formatted_path_prefix && !(flat_path.start_with?(RS_METADATA_PREFIX) || flat_path.start_with?(@formatted_path_prefix))
        return @formatted_path_prefix + flat_path
      end
      return flat_path
    end
Flattens a sequence of metadata keys into a simple key string
 distinguishing the path to a value stored at some depth in a tree of
 metadata.

 === Parameters
 metadata_path(Array):: array of metadata path elements

 === Returns
 flat_path(String):: flattened path