includeMetadata

includeMetadata is a configuration option used in data processing systems to determine whether metadata associated with a data object should be included in output, transmitted, or stored alongside the primary content.

Metadata provides context such as creation and modification timestamps, author or source, data schema, provenance, licensing, and integrity information like checksums. Including metadata can improve traceability, interoperability, and data governance, while excluding it can reduce payload size or protect sensitive details.

Common contexts include application programming interfaces (APIs) where a query parameter or header toggles includeMetadata; file exports where metadata can be embedded in headers or sidecar files; and media or document processing where metadata packets accompany the main file.

Considerations include privacy and security implications, performance and payload size, and the need for consistent metadata schemas. Systems should document what metadata is included and provide sensible defaults, with an option to override via includeMetadata=true/false.

Best practices include defining a metadata schema, sanitizing sensitive fields, versioning metadata, and ensuring that consumers understand what is included. Avoid over-sharing personal information, and design APIs and formats to allow easy exclusion when required.

Limitations include potential stripping of metadata by intermediaries or formats that do not carry metadata, and the possibility that included metadata increases processing or storage costs.