CommonAttribute

CommonAttribute is a term used in data modeling and software design to describe an attribute that is shared by multiple entities or object types within a domain. It denotes a property that can be consistently represented and manipulated across different records, enabling uniform queries, filtering, and integration.

In practice, common attributes arise when several entities have overlapping data needs. For example, in a user management domain, attributes such as id, createdAt, and status may be common across entities like User, Admin, and Guest. In a product catalog, name and price might be shared across Product, Service, and Bundle. Identifying these attributes can guide schema design toward consistency and easier interoperability.

Identification and design often involve examining domain documentation, data dictionaries, and usage patterns to detect attributes that recur across types. One approach is to abstract these attributes into a base type or interface so different entities implement or extend the same contract, while preserving entity-specific fields.

Benefits of using common attributes include improved consistency, simpler cross-entity reporting, easier API contracts, and smoother data integration. They can reduce duplication and support uniform validation and indexing strategies. However, over-generalization should be avoided; an attribute should be truly common and optionally present where appropriate. Considerations include deciding whether an attribute is required or optional, its data type stability, and the impact on storage and schema evolution. Alternatives or complements include inheritance, interfaces, mixins, or composing entities around a central set of core attributes.