Which artifact lists field names and data types for a dataset?

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Understanding metadata artifacts helps you see how data is described. A data dictionary is the artifact that lists each field in a dataset with its name, data type, and other details like length, allowed values, and a description. This creates a precise, standardized reference so data users interpret and validate data consistently across reports and systems, supporting governance and quality.

A data flow diagram, while valuable, shows how data moves and is processed through systems; it doesn’t document the specifics of each field in a dataset. Data lineage focuses on where data comes from and how it’s transformed over time, not the exact structure of the data elements. Metadata is the broad umbrella term for data about data, but the data dictionary is the concrete artifact that enumerates and defines the dataset’s fields, including their data types.