Metaadatokat

Metadata is data that provides information about other data. It is essentially descriptive information that helps in understanding, managing, and retrieving data. Think of it as the "data about data." This information can describe the content, context, quality, or structure of the data. For example, for a photograph, metadata could include details such as the date and time it was taken, the camera model used, the location, and copyright information. For a document, metadata might consist of the author, creation date, file type, and keywords.

Metadata plays a crucial role in various fields. In libraries and archives, it is used to catalog and organize resources, allowing users to easily search and find specific items. In the digital realm, metadata is essential for organizing files on computers, managing databases, and enabling search engines to index web pages effectively. It also aids in data governance, ensuring data quality, security, and compliance with regulations.

There are different types of metadata, commonly categorized as descriptive, structural, administrative, and preservation metadata. Descriptive metadata identifies and describes an information resource, such as its title and author. Structural metadata describes how compound objects are put together, like the order of pages in a book. Administrative metadata provides information to help manage a resource, such as file type or how the data was acquired. Preservation metadata contains information needed to archive and preserve a resource. The presence and quality of metadata significantly impact the usability and longevity of data.