What does Metadata refer to in Teradata?

Metadata in Teradata refers specifically to data that describes raw data. It provides critical information about the structure, organization, and management of the data within the database. This includes details such as data types, formats, relationships among data elements, source information, and definitions of data fields.

Understanding metadata is fundamental for database management, as it helps users and applications interpret and utilize the data effectively. For instance, metadata allows one to know what each column in a database table represents, how to interpret different datasets, and how data is related, which is essential for querying and data analysis.

While the other options may relate to aspects of data management or processing, they do not accurately encapsulate the concept of metadata. Data stored in tables refers to the actual content or raw data, the physical storage refers to how and where this data is stored within hardware configurations, and advanced calculations pertain to analytical processes rather than to the description of the data itself. Thus, the fundamental nature of metadata is its role in defining and providing context to the actual data.