Data Dictionary and System Catalog

Owned by Computer Science Department
Aug 01, 2023
1 min read

  • The data dictionary provides a detailed description of all tables in the database created by the user and designer

    • It is sometimes described as “the database designer’s database” because it records the design decisions about tables and their structures

  • The system catalog is a detailed system data dictionary that describes all objects within the database

  • Homonyms and synonyms must be avoided to lessen confusion

    • Homonym – same name is used to label different attributes

    • Synonym – different names are used to describe the same attribute