Metadata: Difference between revisions
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{{g}}{{d| | {{g}}{{d|Metadata|/ˈmɛtəˌdeɪtə/|n|}} | ||
[[Information]] ''about'' [[information]]. | [[Information]] ''about'' [[information]]. Data that describes other data. | ||
For example, if news in a newsletter is the ''primary'' data, the newsletter’s size, its author, its recipients, its publication date, the date it is read — these are all points of [[metadata|''meta''data]]. | |||
Metadata is how databases work | Metadata is how databases work: For each single ''item'' in a database there will be associated ''fields'', each representing a single point of metadata. | ||
Excel is the greatest example of metadata: Each row in an | Excel is the greatest example of metadata: Each row in an Excel field is an item and each column is a metadata point. ''You can add an unlimited number of columns'': newly added columns do not affect or change existing ones, so we say they are ''non-destructive''. | ||
Once you have a table of columns in Excel, you can filter sort and pivot by reference to any of the columns, in any order. Doing this is to impose a dynamic hierarchy on the items in the list. This is the magic of metadata. | |||
It is curious that we intuitively understand this when presented with a spreadsheet but it does not occur to us when presented with SharePoint, which is, basically a supercharged online version of a spreadsheet. | |||
A rich, underused, resource. There is a long essay on [[metadata and folders]] in our article about [[SharePoint]]. | |||
{{sa}} | {{sa}} | ||
Revision as of 09:10, 17 July 2024
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Metadata
/ˈmɛtəˌdeɪtə/ (n.)
Information about information. Data that describes other data.
For example, if news in a newsletter is the primary data, the newsletter’s size, its author, its recipients, its publication date, the date it is read — these are all points of metadata.
Metadata is how databases work: For each single item in a database there will be associated fields, each representing a single point of metadata.
Excel is the greatest example of metadata: Each row in an Excel field is an item and each column is a metadata point. You can add an unlimited number of columns: newly added columns do not affect or change existing ones, so we say they are non-destructive.
Once you have a table of columns in Excel, you can filter sort and pivot by reference to any of the columns, in any order. Doing this is to impose a dynamic hierarchy on the items in the list. This is the magic of metadata.
It is curious that we intuitively understand this when presented with a spreadsheet but it does not occur to us when presented with SharePoint, which is, basically a supercharged online version of a spreadsheet.
A rich, underused, resource. There is a long essay on metadata and folders in our article about SharePoint.