3.1.3 Corporate Data Dictionary Concept
The concept of a corporate data dictionary evolved from integrated development environments in which a single computer processing department supports all information systems requirements for a company. Briefly, a corporate data dictionary means that information is defined in terms of the corporate or complete company view and not just a single application's view of data.
For example, how often have you found that the same piece of data has been given many different descriptions and definitions throughout the application system. A Customer Number may be described as Customer ID, Customer Number, ID Number Customer, Cust ID, Customer No, or Cust ID No. Do these refer to the same data or different pieces of data?
Committing to a corporate data dictionary concept will involve:
- Defining objects in one place and one place only.
- Referring all developers to this place for definitions.
- Defining elements using "wide vision" because the object is for corporate use and not just one application. A corporate dictionary means objects are reusable.
- Creating and following definition standards.
- Providing security to control who can change and use the data dictionary information.
- More work during the initial design phase of a project.
The use of the corporate data dictionary concept will produce long-term benefits as it extends the life of your applications and makes integration of your applications possible.
To enforce the corporate data dictionary concept, you may want to limit the developers who are allowed maintain fields in the repository. (Refer to Controlling Repository Maintenance and Development Environment Administration.)