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:

  1. An identification such as a data element name
  2. A clear data element definition
  3. One or more representation terms
  4. Optional enumerated values Code (metadata)
  5. A list of synonyms to data elements in other metadata registries Synonym ring

Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of software applications or application data files 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:

  1. A named unit of data that, in some contexts, is considered indivisible and in other contexts may consist of data items.
  2. A named identifier of each of the entities and their attributes that are represented in a database.
  3. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values.
  4. In electronic record-keeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, address, or age.

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.[1]

Contents

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

References

  1. ^ Beynon-Davies P. (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK

External links



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Data Element —   [engl.], Datenelement …   Universal-Lexikon

  • data element — duomenų elementas statusas T sritis automatika atitikmenys: angl. data element; data item; data unit vok. Dateneinheit, f; Datenelement, n; Datenwort, n rus. единица данных, f; элемент данных, m pranc. position élémentaire des données, f …   Automatikos terminų žodynas

  • data element — noun a) An atomic unit of data that has: b) An identification such as a data element name …   Wiktionary

  • Data element —   Data elements are the different pieces of information in a data base. For example: Party number, postal code. Related data elements are held in records which are themselves grouped into files …   International financial encyclopaedia

  • Data element definition — In 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 element definitions are critical for external… …   Wikipedia

  • Data element name — A 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… …   Wikipedia

  • data element — 1. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values. 2. In electronic recordkeeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name,… …   Military dictionary

  • Data element — Элемент данных …   Краткий толковый словарь по полиграфии

  • Universal Data Element Framework — The Universal Data Element Framework (UDEF) 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. UDEF simplifies information… …   Wikipedia

  • Conditional data element —   An ISO term. A data element that on certain given conditions needs to be included in the message concerned …   International financial encyclopaedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”