For more, see GeodataBases, Data Management
Metadata is defined as data about data. With the vast amount of digital data being used by government and private agencies in making important business decisions, it is essential to know the accuracy of the data being used in making those decisions. A helpful metadata file includes, among other information, the source of the data, when the data was created and who created it, the location of the data, and when the data was last updated. The user can include any other information to the metadata file that will help to further identify or explain the data.