What is metadata

Hi to all
Please answer my question
what is metadata?

Metadata is structured data which describes the characteristics of a resource. It shares many similar characteristics to the cataloguing that takes place in libraries, museums and archives.
A metadata record consists of a number of pre-defined elements representing specific attributes of a resource, and each element can have one or more values.Each metadata schema will usually have the following characteristics:

a limited number of elements ,the name of each element and the meaning of each element

srini

A [B]Metadata[/B] repository is a database of data about data (metadata). The purpose of the metadata repository is to provide a consistent and reliable means of access to data. The repository itself may be stored in a physical location or may be a virtual database, in which metadata is drawn from separate sources. Metadata may include information about how to access specific data, or more detail about it, among a myriad of possibilities.

In lay mans language [URL="http://www.google.co.in/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=metadata&meta="]metadata[/URL] it is data about data.

A key part of any dataset is its accompanying metadata. Metadata is "information about data" and can include characteristics about the data such as the content, accuracy, reliability and the source.

Metadata are used to provide documentation for data products. In essence, metadata answer who, what, when, where, why, and how about every facet of the data that are being documented.

Metadata has many applications. It can be used to:
- Concisely describe datasets and other resources using elements such as the name of the dataset, the quality, who is the custodian, how to access the data, what is its intended purpose, who to contact for more information about the data.
- Enable effective management of data resources.
- Enable accurate searching and data resource discovery.
- Provide an online interface to a dataset and link to other information about it.
- Accompany a dataset when it is transferred to another computer so that the dataset can be fully understood, and put to proper use, and to duly acknowledge the custodian on the dataset.