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Metadata

Definition

Metadata refers to descriptive information about data, such as its format, location, authorship, and creation date. It provides context and additional details that help organize and manage data effectively.

Analogy

Think of metadata as the "data about data" or like reading the back cover summary of a book before deciding whether to read it or not. It gives you an overview and helps you understand what kind of information is contained within.

Related terms

Data Mining: It involves extracting patterns or knowledge from large datasets using various techniques such as statistical analysis and machine learning.

Data Dictionary: A centralized repository that contains definitions and descriptions for all data elements used within an organization's database system.

Structured Data: Refers to organized and well-defined data that fits into predefined formats (e.g., tables) making it easier for analysis and processing.