Friday, July 30, 2010

What is a Data Dictionary?

he data dictionary is a component of a well documented database. It allows database users, including administrators and others who interface to the system to identify the expected data in each table and column of the database, even without accessing the database itself.
Minimum Requirements of a Data Dictionary

A data dictionary should contain certain information in order to increase it's usefulness, including:

* Table Name
* Field Name
* Description of expected data in the field (i.e. Customer Address)
* Field Type (ex. int, varchar, datetime)
* Field Length
* Nullable or Not Nullable
* Default Value
* Constraints that apply to the field

Some fields may not be necessary for every entry in a data dictionary. For example, the root description of a table doesn't require field names and types, but could still provide a description of what the table holds.

SOURCE:
http://database-programming.suite101.com/article.cfm/what-is-a-data-dictionary

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