Information & Technology Management Standards

Runtime Meta Data

Runtime meta-data (RMD) is a type of data, equivalent in this context to a parameter or argument with implied semantic characteristics.

Runtime meta-data is used to control the behavior of an application. Changes to RMD dynamically affect application characteristics, generally without requiring a recompilation of application code. RMD is data contained in a RMD source, some examples include:

  • Comma separated value (CSV) file;
  • Extensible markup language (XML) file;
  • Database table; or
  • System class file.

A RMD source is usually managed externally to the application but is available to the application at runtime. The RMD source content (the meta-data) is typically managed declaratively. XML embodies a declarative style that includes the functional semantics along with specific meta-data values.

A description of the options available for declaratively managing runtime meta-data is out of scope of this definition, however the following two options are possible approaches:

  1. By using grammar encapsulating business terms/concepts that is interpreted via a utility responsible for automatically inferring semantic characteristics and updating the meta-data values in a RMD data source; or
  2. By manually updating data sources (i.e. XML file) that have an inherent declarative structure.

Both of theses techniques are declarative, the 1st option assumes a declarative language has been adopted, the 2nd represents a situation where the declarative semantics of the data is part of the data source structure. Typically updates to runtime meta-data should occur via a controlled/automated process, manual updates are not recommended.

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  Runtime Meta Data Senior Application Analyst

Deliverable Reviewers

IMG Reviewers

Other Typical Reviewers
Data Architect ITMB Application Support
Database Administrator    

Related Deliverables

Companion Deliverables

Successor Deliverable
  Application Source Code   Go Production
  Conversion Modules    

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