dataelementer

A dataelement, or data element, is the smallest unit of data with a precise meaning and a defined format that can be stored, transmitted, and interpreted within information systems. Dataelements serve as the building blocks of data models, databases, and metadata specifications. Each element typically has attributes such as a name, data type, length or precision, allowed values or value sets, and constraints that govern its use.

Dataelements can be atomic or composite. An atomic element represents a single concept, such as a user_id or a birth_date, while a composite element may combine multiple subelements into a broader concept, such as a address consisting of street, city, and postal code. They are categorized by data type (string, integer, date, boolean, etc.), and by value domain (codes, identifiers, quantities). Dataelements appear in data dictionaries, metadata catalogs, database schemas, forms, and application interfaces, supporting consistent data entry, storage, and retrieval.

Standards and governance play a central role in defining and managing dataelements. Metadata standards, such as ISO/IEC 11179, describe how dataelements should be defined, named, and related to meaning, representations, and encodings. Organizations establish data element ownership, stewardship, versioning, and change control, along with controlled vocabularies, data type definitions, and value sets to ensure quality, traceability, and interoperability across systems.

Usage and lifecycle: dataelements underpin data integration, reporting, analytics, and interoperability across systems and domains. They enable data quality practices, data lineage, and metadata-driven development. Practical examples include a customer_id element defined as a unique identifier with a fixed length and a country_code element restricted to a defined list of codes.