Database catalog explained

A database catalog of a database instance consists of metadata in which definitions of database objects such as base tables, views (virtual tables), synonyms, value ranges, indexes, users, and user groups are stored.^[1] It is an architecture product that documents the database's content and data quality.^[2]

Standards

The SQL standard specifies a uniform means to access the catalog, called the INFORMATION_SCHEMA, but not all databases follow this, even if they implement other aspects of the SQL standard. For an example of database-specific metadata access methods, see Oracle metadata.

See also

• Data dictionary
• Data lineage
• Data Catalog Vocabulary, a W3C standard for metadata
• Metadata registry, central location where metadata definitions are stored and maintained
• Metadata repository, a database created to store metadata

Notes and References

1. Book: Systems Development Handbook. Paul C. Tinnirello. 1999. CRC Press. 0-8493-9822-3. registration.
2. Web site: 2024-09-28 . en-US . Databasekatalog QualiWare Center of Excellence .