In this post, we will understand the difference between data and metadata.
Data
Any type of information that is stored in computer memory.
It can later be utilized for a variety of purposes.
It may or may not be informative.
It may or may not have been processed.
In DBMS, data is stored as a file that can be navigated over, or in directories, i.e hierarchical form.
In DBMS, data refers to all items are stored in a database- individually or as a set.
Example: If a word document is created, and text is added to it- that text is data.
Metadata
It describes relevant information about the data.
It is always informative.
It is always processed.
It is stored inside a data dictionary.
It refers to name of attributes, their types, user constraints, integrity information and the information about their storage.
When the ‘Properties’ option is clicked on the word document, it is the metadata.