Datert

Datert is a term used in digital archival and data management contexts to describe data assets or records that carry a verifiable date of creation or modification. In practice, datert denotes that the metadata accompanying a record includes explicit date-time information—typically a creation date, a modification date, or both—that can be used to establish provenance and reproduce results.

Etymology and scope: The word datert is a portmanteau of date and timestamp. It is not a formal standard and its usage varies between organizations. In many metadata schemas, datert is realized through fields such as dateCreated, dateModified, or lastUpdated, often stored in ISO 8601 format.

Usage: In systems that emphasize data lineage, a datert attribute helps users determine recency, enable time-based queries, and support version control. A dataset is described as datert when its metadata explicitly records one or more time-stamped dates. Some implementations adopt a dedicated datert flag or field to signal consistency across related records, while others rely on conventional date fields.

Limitations and considerations: Because datert is not standardized, interpretations of what counts as the datert information can differ. Time zone handling, clock skew, and missing values can affect reliability. Clear documentation of what the date fields signify is essential to avoid confusion.

See also: metadata, data provenance, timestamps, ISO 8601, versioning.