What is Metadata?
Metadata is data that provides information about other data. Put simply, it's 'data about data.' It acts like a label or a description, offering context and details about a piece of data, such as a file, image, or document. This context helps in understanding, organizing, and finding data resources more efficiently.
Section 2: The Main Types of Metadata
Metadata is generally categorized into three main types. Descriptive metadata is used for discovery and identification, including elements like title, author, and keywords. Structural metadata describes how compound objects are put together, such as the order of chapters in a digital book. Administrative metadata provides information to help manage a resource, such as its file type, creation date, and access permissions.
Section 3: A Practical Example of Metadata
A common example is the metadata associated with a digital photograph. The photo itself is the primary data. The metadata includes details automatically captured by the camera, such as the camera model, the date and time the photo was taken, shutter speed, aperture, and often the GPS coordinates of the location. This is known as EXIF data.
Section 4: Why Is Metadata Important?
Metadata is crucial for data management and usability. It powers the search functions of libraries, databases, and search engines, allowing users to find specific information quickly. It helps verify the authenticity and origin of a file, preserves data over the long term by detailing its format and history, and ensures data can be correctly interpreted and used by both people and computer systems.