Editing Data element

{{Short description|Semantic representation of data}}
{{Data transformation}}

In [[metadata]], the term '''data element''' is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:
# An identification such as a [[data element name]]
# A clear [[data element definition]]
# One or more [[representation term]]s
# Optional enumerated values [[Code (metadata)]]
# A list of synonyms to data elements in other metadata registries [[Synonym ring]]

Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of [[software application]]s or application [[data file]]s 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 [[telecommunications]], the term '''data element''' has the following components:

#A named unit of [[data]] that, in some contexts, is considered indivisible and in other contexts may consist of data items.
#A named [[identifier]] of each of the entities and their attributes that are represented in a [[database]].
#A basic unit of [[information]] built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values.
#In electronic record-keeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, [[Address (geography)|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]].<ref>Beynon-Davies P. (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK</ref>

== 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==
{{reflist}}
*{{FS1037C}}
*{{DODDIC}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050826195309/http://xml.gov/documents/in_progress/developersguide.pdf Federal XML Developer's Guide]
* [http://isotc.iso.org/livelink/livelink/fetch/2000/2489/Ittf_Home/PubliclyAvailableStandards.htm ISO/IEC 11179 Standards] (see ISO/IEC 11179-3:2003 clause 3.3.36)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Data Element}}
[[Category:Metadata]]
[[Category:Enterprise application integration]]


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