A new definition should recognize that much, if not most, of enterprise data
is not found in traditional relational database management systems (RDBMS), but rather, it
is found in the myriad technological assets and views of those assets that exist at any point
in time. The enterprise definition of metadata is as follows:
Metadata is structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data which describes the characteristics
of a resource (external source of information) or asset (internal source of information).
Metadata is about knowledge, which is the ability to turn information and data into
effective action.
Stephens
Copyright ?© 2007, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission
of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited.
Metadata can provide abundant information about where an asset is located, what primitive
elements make up the asset, how the asset was developed or created, where the asset is physically
located, who the steward of the asset is, and, of course, an inventory of what assets
exists. Scientists, researchers, and business practitioners continue to redefine, re-scope, and
re-purpose the basic utility of metadata. So, what is metadata and how can it help? Metadata
is defined within many fields of study including:
??? Vocabulary of metadata information
??? Relationships between assets
??? Information retrieval
??? Information presentation
??? Knowledge management
??? Information architecture
??? Data architecture
??? Architecture standards
Metadata is as much a philosophy as it is a technology.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117