What a Data Dictionary Doesn't Tell You

Introduction

A data dictionary is an important part of any database system, providing a repository of information about the structure of the data stored in the system. However, it is important to understand that a data dictionary does not provide information about the actual data stored in the system. In this blog post, we will look at what a data dictionary does not provide information about.

What is a Data Dictionary?

A data dictionary is a set of information about the structure of the data stored in a database system. It contains information such as the names of the tables, the names of the columns, and the data types of the columns. It also contains information about the relationships between the tables, such as which columns are used for foreign key references. The data dictionary is used by the database system to provide information about the structure of the data, which helps the system to efficiently store and access the data.

What Does a Data Dictionary Not Provide Information About?

A data dictionary does not provide information about the actual data stored in the database. For example, a data dictionary will not provide information about the values stored in the columns, or the relationships between the tables. It also does not provide information about the meaning of the data, or how it should be used.

Conclusion

A data dictionary is an important part of any database system, providing a repository of information about the structure of the data stored in the system. However, it is important to understand that a data dictionary does not provide information about the actual data stored in the system. It does not provide information such as the values stored in the columns, the relationships between the tables, or the meaning of the data.