Attributttype

Attributttype is a formal descriptor in a data-modeling context that specifies the characteristics an attribute may have within an information model. It defines the kind of values the attribute can hold, the rules that constrain those values, and the semantics attached to the attribute.

A typical attributttype includes: a name, a base data type (such as string, integer, boolean, date), constraints (range, pattern, length), multiplicity (single vs. multi-valued), default values, and optional metadata such as units or language. In many designs attributttypes support inheritance or specialization to reuse common constraints across related attributes.

Usage examples: The attributttype PersonEmail might specify string type, a regex pattern for valid email formats, a maximum length of 254 characters, and a required flag. The attributttype ProductPrice might specify a decimal type, a minimum of 0, an associated currency unit, and precision constraints.

Relation to other concepts: The notion is aligned with attribute types in relational schema, data-type definitions in XML/JSON schemas, and property types in ontology languages. Different communities may call it by slightly different terms, such as data type, attribute constraint, or property type, which can lead to confusion. The term attributttype here is used to illustrate the idea of a reusable attribute specification.

Implementation notes: In practice, attributttypes are evaluated by validators or schema engines at data entry or import time, ensuring stored values conform to the defined constraints. They support schema evolution by allowing changes to type definitions without altering every attribute occurrence, provided compatibility is maintained.