métadonnées

Metadata is data that describes other data. It provides information about a particular data set, such as how, when, and by whom it was created, as well as what it contains. Metadata can be used to organize, find, and manage data.

There are many different types of metadata, including descriptive metadata, structural metadata, and administrative metadata. Descriptive metadata describes the content of a data set, such as its title, author, and keywords. Structural metadata describes how a data set is organized, such as its file format and relationships between different parts of the data. Administrative metadata provides information about how a data set is managed, such as its creation date, access rights, and copyright information.

Metadata is essential for many applications, including digital libraries, databases, and search engines. It helps users to find the information they need quickly and efficiently. It also helps data managers to keep track of their data and ensure its integrity. Without metadata, it would be very difficult to manage and use large amounts of data.

Metadata can be embedded within a data file itself, or it can be stored separately in a metadata catalog or database. The way metadata is created and managed can vary depending on the type of data and its intended use. Standards and best practices exist to ensure consistency and interoperability of metadata across different systems.