Which statement best contrasts a data dictionary with a business glossary?

• A. A data dictionary defines data elements, types, and constraints.
• B. A data dictionary defines business terms and their meaning for non-technical users.
• C. A data dictionary lists organizational roles and responsibilities.
• D. A data dictionary describes data retention policies.

Answer: (A)

A data dictionary is the technical metadata store for data elements, detailing each element’s name, data type, length, allowed values or constraints, and often its relationships and lineage. This precisely matches what the option states: it defines data elements, types, and constraints. A business glossary, by contrast, centers on business terms and their meanings for non-technical users, with context and usage notes. The other choices point to governance artifacts outside the data dictionary’s scope, such as organizational roles or data retention policies. So the statement that a data dictionary defines data elements, types, and constraints best contrasts it with a business glossary.