Data Dictionaries in Software Engineering

The world of software engineering is vast with so many significant concepts in it!

Among these concepts, one of the key concepts is a data dictionary in software engineering.

As depicted by the name, a data dictionary is like any other dictionary which keeps the record of all objects in the given database. In software technology, these objects are also known by the name of “metadata”

These objects are helpful in recording data related to different objects and other structures of that object.

If you want to enhance your knowledge on this topic and want to know more about this topic, this blog post is created for you.

So without any further ado, let’s get started!

What are data dictionaries?

First thing first, let’s start with the basics.

A data dictionary is defined as the terminology where the relevant data is used by the developers in their projects. It aids them to perform the necessary analysis on the impact of data. The developers can also determine the different data structures on the basis of their basic elements.

This structured repository contains all the information about your data system. Each entry of the data dictionary generally includes details describing how the data is being used and produced by the system.

Each item will be identified by the name of that item, its descriptions, all possible values and their definition. Though, there are various kinds of mathematical operators in data dictionary which are:

X = a + b: In this case = states equivalence whereas + means decomposition. It indicates that x consist of elements namely a and b
X = a/b : The / here indicates the item appearing multiple times. This indicates x which consists of either of the data elements among a or b
{}: {} represents the iterative data definition. It indicates that x has y with the occurrence of data elements in a

Take an example;

[ name] 5 will denote five name data

[ name] * denotes all the zeros or more of the instances of a name data

Uses of data dictionary

As 80% of the valuable time of any data scientist is spent on finding, cleaning or organization of data, it is important for them to take the help of data dictionary in software engineering

A system analyst will use the data dictionary for various purposes including:

Managing the details in large number wherein the huge amount of data flows
All the document features of a particular system like processes or data stores which are important to get the complete understanding of your system
Facilitate analysis of all details to evaluate the characteristics to determine what kind of changes need to be made
Locating errors or omissions in your system
It helps get an organized approach on all the data object items and its various characteristics.

Examples of data dictionary

Let’s look at some of the best examples of data dictionary in software engineering to understand this concept in a better way:

Take the example of a website cataloging all data dictionary terms with its search capabilities

Data dictionary can take the form of a web page having a search bar with the listing of all attributes and items. It also allows you to filter out your search results to speed up the research process.

To understand each attribute, you can click on it. The details may include technical mandates like name, data type, registration , authority or identifiers.

Different types of data dictionary

There are mainly two types of a data dictionary which is explained as follows:

Active data dictionary

If the structure of your database or any of its specifications may change at any given point of time, this will be reflected in your data dictionary. It is the responsibility of your database system where the data dictionaries are residing.

This data dictionary can be automatically updated with your database when any of the changes made in it. That is why it is known as the active data dictionary.

Passive data dictionary

This dictionary is not as useful to handle as your active data dictionary. The dictionary is separately maintained with the database whose contents are not stored in the dictionary. A database will be modified as per the dictionary but will not be automatically updated as in the active data dictionary.

This dictionary has to be updated manually in order to match your database. Though, it needs careful handling or else the sync of your database will not be completely at the place.

Advantages of data dictionary

There will be certain advantages of data dictionary which includes:

The attributes of your columns may be provided with the organized data list. This can go a long way as it help in your database administration while taking over the required charge
The built of your data dictionary can be like the search of data provision numbers
There will be multiple programs which can be utilized for data dictionary in order to provide reporting or the data documentation
It also helps in the management of data in a way so that any kind of redundancy will not occur
It also make sure that the structure required for your data needs to be simplified in the whole process by making it smoother
The storage of all kinds of mandate data will help in maintaining the integrity of your data over other databases
It also comes handy when it comes to the respective designs
The related information can be stored across various types of platforms that will again be captured as the part of data creation process.

Cocomo Model in software engineering

The Cocomo model in software engineering is another essential part of software engineering that you should know. This is a procedural model of the software cost which helps in finding out the cost of each method derived in designing.

Wrapping up

Keep this guide into consideration while enhancing your knowledge base on the concept of data dictionary in software engineering.

Here we have covered all the nits and grits of a data dictionary for better learning!