Metadata repository

A metadata repository is a database created to store metadata. Metadata is information about the structures that contain the actual data. Metadata is often said to be 'data about data', but this is misleading. Data profiles are an example of actual 'data about data'. Metadata is one layer of abstraction removed from this – it is data about the structures that contain data. Metadata may describe the structure of any data, of any subject, stored in any format. A metadata repository is a database created to store metadata. Metadata is information about the structures that contain the actual data. Metadata is often said to be 'data about data', but this is misleading. Data profiles are an example of actual 'data about data'. Metadata is one layer of abstraction removed from this – it is data about the structures that contain data. Metadata may describe the structure of any data, of any subject, stored in any format. A well-designed metadata repository typically contains data far beyond simple definitions of the various data structures. Typical repositories store dozens to hundreds of separate pieces of information about each data structure.