---
title: "Define metadata"
subject: "Data Mining"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/data_mining:define-metadata"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/data_mining/define-metadata
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define metadata

Data Mining · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [Types of Metadata 🔥](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhhF93E_L4Q) — Perfect Computer Engineer
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/data_mining/define-metadata
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/data_mining/chapter-1

## Question

Define Metadata with example.

## Short answer

Metadata is data about data describing content, structure, origin, and meaning, stored in a repository covering schema, mappings, transformations, load history, and lineage. Example: for column sales_amt, metadata includes type DECIMAL(10,2), meaning "bill total in NPR after discount", source POS.BILL.TOTAL, daily load at 11 pm, owner Sales department.

## Answer

**Metadata** is "data about data": information that describes the content, structure, origin and meaning of the data stored in a database or warehouse. In a warehouse it is kept in a metadata repository and covers the schema, source-to-target mappings, transformation rules, load history, data lineage and business definitions. It is used by ETL tools, managers and end users.

**Example**: For the warehouse column `sales_amt`: type DECIMAL(10,2); meaning "bill total in NPR after discount"; source: POS.BILL.TOTAL; loaded daily at 11 pm; owner: Sales department. This description is metadata, whereas the values (e.g. 1250.00) are data.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Metadata is?
   A. Transaction data
   B. Data about data
   C. Backup data
   D. Summary data
   Answer: B. It describes content, structure, origin and meaning. (Key point: Metadata definition)

2. In the sales_amt example, which is metadata and not data?
   A. Neither
   B. The value 1250.00
   C. Source POS.BILL.TOTAL and 'bill total in NPR'
   D. Both are data
   Answer: C. The description is metadata; the values are data. (Key point: Example)

3. Who uses metadata?
   A. ETL tools, managers and end users
   B. Nobody
   C. Only auditors
   D. Only DBAs offline
   Answer: A. All warehouse components and users rely on it. (Key point: Users of metadata)