2.3. Metadata Models

Metadata model represents a collection of metadata information that describes a complete structure of data.

In a previous example we described the field ZIPCode as a metadata object in an address book database. This meta object represents a single distinct bit of metadata information. We alluded to its parent table, StreetAddress. These meta objects, and others that would describe the other tables and columns within the database, would all combine to form a Source Metadata model for whichever enterprise information system hosts all the objects.

You can have Source Models within your collection of metadata models. These represent physical data storage locations. You can also have View Models, which model the business view of the data. Each contains one type of metadata or another. For more information about difference between Source and View metadata, see Section Source and View Metadata.