Data element

Short description: Semantic representation of data

Data transformation

Concepts

* Metadata
* Data element
* Data mapping
* Data migration
* Data transformation
* Model transformation
* Macro
* Preprocessor

Transformation languages

* ATL
* AWK
* MOFM2T
* QVT
* XML languages

Techniques and transforms

* Identity transform
* Data refinement

Applications

* Data conversion
* Data migration
* Data integration
* Extract, transform, load (ETL)
* Web template system

Related

* Data wrangling
* Transformation languages

* v
* t
* e

In metadata, the term data element is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:

1. An identification such as a data element name
2. A clear data element definition
3. One or more representation terms
4. Optional enumerated values Code (metadata)
5. A list of synonyms to data elements in other metadata registries Synonym ring

Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of software applications or application data files through a process of manual or automated Application Discovery and Understanding. Once data elements are discovered they can be registered in a metadata registry.

In telecommunication, the term data element has the following components:

1. A named unit of data that, in some contexts, is considered indivisible and in other contexts may consist of data items.
2. A named identifier of each of the entities and their attributes that are represented in a database.
3. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values.
4. In electronic record-keeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, address, or age.

In the areas of databases and data systems more generally a data element is a concept forming part of a data model. As an element of data representation, a collection of data elements forms a data structure.[1]

## Contents

* 1 In practice
* 2 See also
* 3 References
* 4 External links

## In practice

In practice, data elements (fields, columns, attributes, etc.) are sometimes "overloaded", meaning a given data element will have multiple potential meanings. While a known bad practice, overloading is nevertheless a very real factor or barrier to understanding what a system is doing.

## See also

* Application Discovery and Understanding
* Data element definition
* Data dictionary
* Data hierarchy
* ISO/IEC 11179 metadata registry specification
* Metadata
* Representation term
* Universal Data Element Framework
* Data collection system

## References

1. ↑ Beynon-Davies P. (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK

* This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of Defense document "Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms".

## External links

* Association for Enterprise Integration
* Federal XML Developer's Guide
* ISO/IEC 11179 Standards (see ISO/IEC 11179-3:2003 clause 3.3.36)

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data element. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Data_element&oldid=2635790"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template