In metadata

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...

, a match report is a report that compares two distinct data dictionaries

Data dictionary

A 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...

 and creates a list of the data element

Data element

In metadata, 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 name# A clear data element definition# One or more representation terms...

s that have been identified as semantically equivalent

Semantic equivalence

In computer metadata, semantic equivalence is a declaration that two data elements from different vocabularies contain data that has similar meaning...

.

Use of match reports

Match reports are critical for systems that wish to automatically exchange data such as intelligent software agents. If one computer system is requesting a report from a remote system that uses a distinct data dictionary and all of the data elements on the report manifest are included in the match report the report request can be executed.

Match reports are useful if data dictionaries use a metadata tagging system such as the UDEF.

See also

• Data dictionary
  Data dictionary
  A 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 warehouse
  Data warehouse
  In computing, a data warehouse is a database used for reporting and analysis. The data stored in the warehouse is uploaded from the operational systems. The data may pass through an operational data store for additional operations before it is used in the DW for reporting.A data warehouse...
  
  
• Metadata
  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...
  
  
• Semantic equivalence
  Semantic equivalence
  In computer metadata, semantic equivalence is a declaration that two data elements from different vocabularies contain data that has similar meaning...
  
  
• Universal Data Element Framework
  Universal Data Element Framework
  The 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...