Tietoelementit

Tietoelementit, in information technology, are the basic units of information used in information systems. Each tietoelement has a unique name, a defined meaning, and a data type, and is accompanied by metadata that describes its structure, constraints, and semantics. In practice, tietoelementit are stored in data dictionaries and metadata registries to ensure consistent interpretation across systems.

A tietoelement includes attributes such as definition (semantic meaning), data type (for example string, integer, date), length or value domain, nullability, default value, format, and whether it uses a code list or value set. It may also include the data owner or steward, provenance, lifecycle status, and mappings to related code sets or domains. Standards often distinguish between the data element concept and the data element itself, with ISO/IEC 11179 providing guidance for metadata registries and the governance of these elements.

In modeling, tietoelementit can be atomic or composite and are linked to a value domain that defines allowable values. They are designed to enable reuse and consistent semantics when data elements are employed across databases, applications, data warehouses, and integration projects. Properly managed tietoelementit support data quality, interoperability, and clear data lineage.

Applications of tietoelementit include database design, metadata management, data governance, data integration, reporting, and analytics. A well-maintained catalog of tietoelementit helps with impact analysis, change management, and enforcing enterprise-wide data standards, while enabling clearer communication among business and technical stakeholders.

Examples include CustomerID (string, 36, UUID, non-null), BirthDate (date), EmailAddress (string, max length 254), ContractAmount (decimal), and CurrencyCode (string, length 3 with a code list).