momentofrecordcreation

Momentofrecordcreation is a timestamp or metadata value that records the exact time a new data item is created within a database, data store, or information system. It represents the record’s origin time and is commonly stored in a dedicated field such as created_at. This moment is intended to reflect when the data first came into existence in the system, not when it was later written, transmitted, or observed by downstream processes.

In practice, momentofrecordcreation can be generated by the application, by the database as a default value, or by event streams in event-sourced architectures. It is typically stored in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to support consistent cross-system comparisons and auditing. The value is often treated as immutable, serving as a reliable anchor for data lineage and historical analysis.

Momentofrecordcreation is distinct from other time concepts such as ingestion time (when data enters a data lake or federation layer), processing time (when data is processed by a pipeline), and update time (when the record is modified). In distributed environments, clock synchronization, backdated entries, and late-arriving events can affect accuracy and complicate lineage and auditing.

Common uses include auditing and compliance, data governance, provenance tracking, and time-based analytics. A well-defined momentofrecordcreation supports reproducible analyses, helps reconcile records across systems, and improves the interpretability of historical data.

Best practices involve using a single, authoritative source for creation time, storing the value as a dedicated, immutable field (preferably in UTC), documenting the semantics, and handling edge cases such as retroactive or late-arriving records to preserve data integrity.