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Data element

 
Sci-Tech Dictionary: data element
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(′dad·ə ′el·ə·mənt)

(computer science) A set of data items pertaining to information of one kind, such as months of a year.

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Computer Desktop Encyclopedia: data element
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The fundamental data structure in a data processing system. Any unit of data defined for processing is a data element; for example, ACCOUNT NUMBER, NAME, ADDRESS and CITY. A data element is defined by size (in characters) and type (alphanumeric, numeric only, true/false, date, etc.). A specific set of values or range of values may also be part of the definition.

Technically, a data element is a logical definition of data, whereas a field is the physical unit of storage in a record. For example, the data element ACCOUNT NUMBER, which exists only once, is stored in the ACCOUNT NUMBER field in each customer record and in the ACCOUNT NUMBER field in each order record. See field.

The Basic Unit of Storage
Technically, data elements describe the logical unit of data, fields are the actual storage units, and data items are the individual instances of the data elements as in this example. In everyday language, all three terms are used interchangeably. It's only when you read technical documentation on database management that you run across the proper use of these terms.

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Military Dictionary: data element
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(DOD) 1. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values. 2. In electronic recordkeeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, address, or age.

Wikipedia: Data element
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In metadata, the term data element is an atomic unit of data that has precise meaning or precise semantics. A data element has:

  1. An identification such as a data element name
  2. A clear data element definition
  3. One or more representation terms
  4. Optional enumerated values Code (metadata)
  5. A list of synonyms to data elements in other metadata registries Synonym ring

Data elements usage can be discovered by inspection of software applications or application data files 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 telecommunication, the term data element has the following components:

  1. A named unit of data that, in some contexts, is considered indivisible and in other contexts may consist of data items.
  2. A named identifier of each of the entities and their attributes that are represented in a database.
  3. A basic unit of information built on standard structures having a unique meaning and distinct units or values.
  4. In electronic record-keeping, a combination of characters or bytes referring to one separate item of information, such as name, 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 [1].

Contents

In Practice

In practice data elements (fields, columns, attributes, etc.) are sometimes "over loaded" meaning a given data element will have multiple potential meanings. While a known bad practice, nevertheless over loading is a very real factor or barrier to understanding what a system is doing.

See also

References

  1. ^ Beynon-Davies P. (2004). Database Systems 3rd Edition. Palgrave, Basingstoke, UK

External links


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Sci-Tech Dictionary. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. THIS COPYRIGHTED DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
© 1981-2009 Computer Language Company Inc.  All rights reserved.  Read more
Military Dictionary. US Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Words, 2003.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Data element".  Read more