DataObject

Data object is a term used in computing to denote a discrete unit of data that can be stored, retrieved, or transferred. The exact meaning varies by context, but it generally refers to a structured piece of information that can be manipulated by software without implying a specific behavior.

In programming and software design, a data object often means an object or data structure that primarily holds data with little or no behavior. This is common for data transfer objects (DTOs) used to move information between layers or services. In domain modeling, data objects may be entities, value objects, or components of an object that represent state rather than operations, a distinction that informs debates about rich versus anemic domain models.

In databases and storage systems, a data object can refer to a row, record, or persistence unit that represents an object in code. Object-relational mapping (ORM) tools map data objects to database rows, while document stores treat documents themselves as data objects containing structured fields.

In data interchange and interoperability, data objects define the payload formats carried between processes or components. For example, certain APIs or middleware describe data objects in terms of the formats and schemas they can provide or consume during communication or drag-and-drop operations.

In operating systems and toolkits, data objects may be formal interfaces or abstractions for supplying data in multiple formats. A well-known instance is the IDataObject interface in Windows programming, which encapsulates data formats used in clipboard and drag-and-drop operations.

Across domains, the term remains generic and context-dependent. A data object is essentially the smallest coherent unit of information that software can manage, transfer, or persist.