yazdm

Yazdm is a term used in information technology to describe a flexible data modeling paradigm designed for distributed analytics and cross-system interoperability. It is applied in discussions of how disparate data sources can be represented and queried in a unified way without prescribing a single rigid schema.

The term's exact origin is unclear; yazdm is used as a label in multiple contexts, sometimes as an acronym for Yet Another Zettabyte Data Model, but there is no single accepted definition. In practice, yazdm functions as a catchall for approaches that emphasize adaptability, semantic richness, and cross-domain compatibility rather than a fixed data blueprint.

Key characteristics include decoupled schemas, support for hybrid representations (graph and tabular), semantic annotations via lightweight ontologies, and emphasis on data lineage, versioning, and governance. Proponents argue that yazdm can reduce data silos by enabling interoperable data models that evolve with organizational needs.

Implementation approaches vary; some proposals use schema-on-read or schema-flexible stores, while others rely on modeling layers that map to multiple underlying databases. The concept is frequently discussed in the context of data integration, data warehousing, and knowledge graphs, where flexible modeling supports cross-system analytics and metadata management.

Applications include data integration, analytics, knowledge graphs, metadata management, and data catalogs. See also data modeling, schema-on-read, knowledge graph, data governance, and ETL.