What is MySQL data dictionary?

Category: technology and computing databases
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MySQL Server incorporates a transactional data dictionary that stores information about database objects. In previous MySQL releases, dictionary data was stored in metadata files, nontransactional tables, and storage engine-specific data dictionaries. See Section 14.3, “Transactional Storage of Dictionary Data”.



Also know, what is a data dictionary used for?

A data dictionary is a file or a set of files that contains a database's metadata. The data dictionary contains records about other objects in the database, such as data ownership, data relationships to other objects, and other data. The data dictionary is a crucial component of any relational database.

Similarly, what is a data dictionary in healthcare? A data dictionary is a set of information describing what type of data is collected within a database, its format, structure, and how the data is used. As HIE use increases, AHIMA warns that healthcare organizations will need to properly identify data elements for appropriate reporting and transmission.

Considering this, how do I create a data dictionary in MySQL workbench?

There are a few free plugins that generate data dictionary.

Install plugin

  1. Download HTMLShemaReport.py file,
  2. From the MySQL Workbench menu select Scripting and then Install Plugin/Module,
  3. Point to HTMLShemaReport.py file and click Open,
  4. Restart MySQL Workbench.

Why is a data dictionary important?

A data dictionary contains metadata i.e data about the database. The data dictionary is very important as it contains information such as what is in the database, who is allowed to access it, where is the database physically stored etc. Physical information about the tables such as where they are stored and how.

27 Related Question Answers Found

What are the elements of data dictionary?

Data dictionary elements. A data dictionary is composed of data dictionary elements (DDEs) of which there are three types: Simple, Composite, and Collection elements. Simple DDEs are primitive elements such as strings, numbers, dates, and Boolean values that hold information such as a city name.

What are the types of data dictionary?

Attribute Type – Defines what type of data is allowable in a field. Common types include text, numeric, date/time, enumerated list, look-ups, booleans, and unique identifiers.

What is a data dictionary example?

19.11 Data Dictionary
A data dictionary is a centralized repository of metadata. Metadata is data about data. Some examples of what might be contained in an organization's data dictionary include: The data types, e.g., integer, real, character, and image of all fields in the organization's databases.

What are the benefits of data dictionary?

There are a number of advantages of using Data Dictionary in computer system analysis and design. The advantages are: consistency, clarity; reusability; completeness; increase in sharing and integration; and ease of use for the developer.

What is data dictionary explain with an example?


A data dictionary is a collection of descriptions of the data objects or items in a data model for the benefit of programmers and others who need to refer to them. For example, a bank or group of banks could model the data objects involved in consumer banking.

What are the three types of metadata?

On the other hand, NISO distinguishes among three types of metadata: descriptive, structural, and administrative. Descriptive metadata is typically used for discovery and identification, as information to search and locate an object, such as title, author, subjects, keywords, publisher.

What is Data Dictionary diagram?

Data Dictionary is a list of data elements (entity/table and attribute/column) with their attributes and descriptions. It has a form of a set of tables.

What is Dataedo?

Dataedo is a powerful database documentation tool. It allows you to create data dictionaries (description of all tables, columns and relationships), create ER diagrams, document server scripts (stored procedures, functions and triggers).

How do I export data from SQL Workbench?

Create a backup using MySQL Workbench
  1. Connect to your MySQL database.
  2. Click Server on the main tool bar.
  3. Select Data Export.
  4. Select the tables you want to back up.
  5. Under Export Options, select where you want your dump saved.
  6. Click Start Export.
  7. You now have a backup version of your site.

What should be in a data dictionary?


A Data Dictionary is a collection of names, definitions, and attributes about data elements that are being used or captured in a database, information system, or part of a research project. A Data Dictionary also provides metadata about data elements.

What is a data set in healthcare?

Healthcare data sets include a vast amount of medical data, various measurements, financial data, statistical data, demographics of specific populations, and insurance data, to name just a few, gathered from various healthcare data sources.

What is the role of data dictionary in software engineering?

A data dictionary is invaluable for documentation purposes, for keeping control information on corporate data, for ensuring consistency of elements between organizational systems, and for use in developing databases. Data dictionary software packages are commercially available, often as part of a CASE package or DBMS.

Who creates the data dictionary?

The data dictionary consists of record types (tables) created in the database by systems generated command files, tailored for each supported back-end DBMS. Oracle has a list of specific views for the "sys" user. This allows users to look up the exact information that is needed.

What is a data dictionary in access?

A data dictionary is like a bill of materials for a database; it lists all database components, including reports, tables, field names and field types. Such information helps audit databases for objects you no longer need. To create a table from the report, export it to Excel, and then back into Access.

What is the objective of maintaining data dictionary?


Data dictionaries are used to provide detailed information about the contents of a dataset or database, such as the names of measured variables, their data types or formats, and text descriptions. A data dictionary provides a concise guide to understanding and using the data.

What is database schema in DBMS?

The database schema of a database is its structure described in a formal language supported by the database management system (DBMS). The term "schema" refers to the organization of data as a blueprint of how the database is constructed (divided into database tables in the case of relational databases).

How do you create a dictionary in Excel?

How to Create a New Custom Dictionary in Excel 2007
  1. 1Click the Office button and then click the Excel Options button.
  2. 2Click the Proofing tab and then click the Custom Dictionaries button.
  3. 3Click the New button.
  4. 4Type the name for your new custom dictionary and then click the Save button.