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Difference Between Data and Metadata
Metadata is a form of Data, but both are not the same. Data and metadata are used for different purposes and have different specifications. Data is simply defined as a set of raw facts and figures, while metadata is one that provides relevant information about the data.
Read this article to learn more about data and metadata and how they are different from each other.
What is Data?
Raw facts and figures obtained from an observation, measurement, etc. are called data. Data makes the basis of processing. For a user, raw data may not always be meaningful. Data is first processed by using a system to convert it into a useful data. Examples of data include numbers, text, multimedia content stored in a file, the content stored in the tables of a database, etc.
What is Metadata?
Metadata is a special piece of data that provides relevant information about the data. Therefore, metadata is basically considered as a description of a set of data. Metadata helps in understanding the nature and specification of data.
Metadata is always a processed data, hence it is always informative. In database management systems, metadata is stored inside the data dictionaries. When we check the properties of a document, it is an example of metadata of the document.
Now, let us discuss the differences between data and metadata in detail.
Difference between Data and Metadata
The following are the important differences between data and metadata −
S.No. |
Data |
Metadata |
|---|---|---|
1. |
It is any type of information that is stored in computer memory. |
It describes relevant information about the data. |
2. |
It may or may not be informative |
It is always informative. |
3. |
It may or may not have been processed. |
It is always processed. |
4. |
In DBMS, data is stored as a file that can be navigated over, or in directories, i.e., hierarchical form. |
It is stored inside a data dictionary. |
5. |
In DBMS, data refers to all items are stored in a database- individually or as a set. |
It refers to name of attributes, their types, user constraints, integrity information and the information about their storage. |
6. |
If a word document is created, and text is added to it- that text is data. |
When the 'Properties' option is clicked on the word document, it is the metadata. |
7. |
It can later be utilized for a variety of purposes. |
It is the backend information of a document. |
Conclusion
The most significant between data and metadata is that data is any information that is stored, processed, and analyzed in a computer system; while metadata is the information about the data.
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