referencedata

Reference data, sometimes written as referenceData, is data that provides a standardized set of permissible values and attributes used to categorize, classify, or validate other data within information systems. It is distinct from transactional data, which records operations, and from master data, which defines core business entities. Reference data typically consists of discrete lists such as country codes, currency codes, language codes, industry classifications, or status codes. While reference data is comparatively static, it is periodically updated to reflect real-world changes and is often versioned to preserve historical context.

Governance of reference data involves designated owners or stewards, a centralized repository or service, and formal processes for approving, releasing, and propagating changes to consuming systems. Storage is commonly in a dedicated reference data repository, lookup tables within data warehouses, or as managed services in enterprise data platforms. Access usually consists of codes paired with human-readable labels and, in multilingual environments, translations and localization rules.

Usage of reference data supports input validation, data normalization, consistent reporting, and reliable data integration. It helps ensure that different systems encode the same meaning in a uniform way, which improves data quality and comparability across analyses. Reference data complements master data by providing the controlled vocabularies and classifications that describe and constrain the values that master data can take.

Common examples include ISO 3166 country codes, ISO 4217 currency codes, UN/LOCODE for locations, NAICS or similar industry classifications, and status codes such as order_status. Challenges in managing reference data include keeping values current, handling deprecations, version control, and managing cross-domain dependencies.