Informationsfiler

Informationsfiler are files used in information management to store or describe information resources. In Swedish and Norwegian contexts, the term typically refers to records that document data, objects, or processes and that form part of library catalogs, archival systems, or enterprise information systems.

They can be content files, such as documents, images, or multimedia, or metadata files that describe other resources. Metadata formats may include XML, JSON, or RDF, while the content itself may be stored in formats like PDF, DOCX, JPEG, or CSV. Common metadata standards include Dublin Core, MODS, and PREMIS, which help ensure consistent description, provenance, and preservation.

In practice, informationsfiler support discovery, access, and long-term preservation. They enable efficient search through descriptive information, support rights management, and provide a basis for data governance and compliance. In archival contexts, they accompany accessioning, preservation actions, and disposition decisions within records- and information-management systems.

Key challenges include ensuring data quality and metadata completeness, managing versioning, and mitigating risks from format obsolescence and bit rot. Good practices involve clear naming conventions, provenance tracking, regular integrity checks, and appropriate access controls and backups. Interoperability and adherence to standards facilitate sharing and sustainable preservation of information over time.

See also: metadata, digital preservation, records management, data governance, file formats.