Data element
Encyclopedia
In metadata
, the term data element is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:
Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of software applications or application data file
s through a process of manual or automated Application Discovery and Understanding
. Once data elements are discovered they can be registered in a metadata registry
.
In telecommunication
, the term data element has the following components:
In the areas of databases and data systems more generally a data element is a concept forming part of a data model
. As an element of data representation, a collection of data elements forms a data structure
.
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
, the term data element is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:
- An identification such as a data element nameData element nameA data element name is a name given to a data element in, for example, a data dictionary or metadata registry. In a formal data dictionary, there is often a requirement that no two data elements may have the same name, to allow the data element name to become an identifier, though some data...
- A clear data element definitionData element definitionIn metadata, a data element definition is a human readable phrase or sentence associated with a data element within a data dictionary that describes the meaning or semantics of a data element....
- One or more representation termRepresentation termA representation term is a word, or a combination of words, that semantically represent the data type of a data element. A representation term is commonly referred to as a class word by those familiar with data dictionaries...
s - Optional enumerated values Code (metadata)Code (metadata)In metadata, the representation term code refers to, and is used in the name of, data elements whose allowable values can be represented as enumerated lists. Each enumerated value is a string that for brevity represents a specific meaning. For example, for a PersonGenderCode the allowable code...
- A list of synonyms to data elements in other metadata registries Synonym ringSynonym ringIn metadata a synonym ring or synset, is a group of data elements that are considered semantically equivalent for the purposes of information retrieval. These data elements are frequently found in different metadata registries...
Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of software applications or application data file
Data file
A data file is a computer file which stores data to use by a computer application or system. It generally does not refer to files that contain instructions or code to be executed , or to files which define the operation or structure of an application or system ; but specifically to information...
s through a process of manual or automated Application Discovery and Understanding
Application Discovery and Understanding
Application discovery and understanding is the process of automatically analyzing artifacts of a software application and determining metadata structures associated with the application in the form of lists of data elements and business rules...
. Once data elements are discovered they can be registered in a metadata registry
Metadata registry
A metadata registry is a central location in an organization where metadata definitions are stored and maintained in a controlled method.-Use of Metadata Registries:...
.
In telecommunication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
, the term data element has the following components:
- A named unit of dataDataThe term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...
that, in some contexts, is considered indivisible and in other contexts may consist of data items. - A named identifierIdentifierAn identifier is a name that identifies either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, physical [countable] object , or physical [noncountable] substance...
of each of the entities and their attributes that are represented in a databaseDatabaseA database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
. - A basic unit of informationInformationInformation in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values. - In electronic record-keeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, addressAddress (geography)An address is a collection of information, presented in a mostly fixed format, used for describing the location of a building, apartment, or other structure or a plot of land, generally using political boundaries and street names as references, along with other identifiers such as house or...
, or age.
In the areas of databases and data systems more generally a data element is a concept forming part of a data model
Data model
A data model in software engineering is an abstract model, that documents and organizes the business data for communication between team members and is used as a plan for developing applications, specifically how data is stored and accessed....
. As an element of data representation, a collection of data elements forms a data structure
Data structure
In computer science, a data structure is a particular way of storing and organizing data in a computer so that it can be used efficiently.Different kinds of data structures are suited to different kinds of applications, and some are highly specialized to specific tasks...
.
In Practice
In practice, data elements (fields, columns, attributes, etc.) are sometimes "over loaded", meaning a given data element will have multiple potential meanings. While a known bad practice, over loading is nevertheless a very real factor or barrier to understanding what a system is doing.See also
- Application Discovery and UnderstandingApplication Discovery and UnderstandingApplication discovery and understanding is the process of automatically analyzing artifacts of a software application and determining metadata structures associated with the application in the form of lists of data elements and business rules...
- Data element definitionData element definitionIn metadata, a data element definition is a human readable phrase or sentence associated with a data element within a data dictionary that describes the meaning or semantics of a data element....
- Data dictionaryData dictionaryA data dictionary, or metadata repository, as defined in the IBM Dictionary of Computing, is a "centralized repository of information about data such as meaning, relationships to other data, origin, usage, and format." The term may have one of several closely related meanings pertaining to...
- Data hierarchyData hierarchyData Hierarchy refers to the systematic organization of data, often in a hierarchical form. Data organization involves fields, records, files and so on....
- ISO/IEC 11179ISO/IEC 11179ISO/IEC 11179 is an international standard for representing metadata for an organization in a metadata registry.- Intended purpose :...
metadata registry specification - MetadataMetadataThe term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
- Representation termRepresentation termA representation term is a word, or a combination of words, that semantically represent the data type of a data element. A representation term is commonly referred to as a class word by those familiar with data dictionaries...
- Universal Data Element FrameworkUniversal Data Element FrameworkThe Universal Data Element Framework provides the foundation for building an enterprise-wide controlled vocabulary. It is a standard way of indexing enterprise information that can produce big cost savings...
External links
- Association for Enterprise Integration
- Federal XML Developer's Guide
- ISO/IEC 11179 Standards (see ISO/IEC 11179-3:2003 clause 3.3.36)