What is metadata?

Metadata is defined as data that provides information about other data. It serves to describe the characteristics of the data, such as its format, structure, origin, and context, making it easier to locate, use, and manage the actual data. Metadata is crucial in data management because it helps users understand the meaning and structure of data stored in databases or data repositories, facilitating better data governance and usage.

For instance, in a database, metadata can include details such as the names of tables and columns, data types, relationships between tables, as well as descriptions of the data's purpose and usage. This effectively enables both humans and software systems to interpret and use the underlying data correctly.

In contrast, the other options address aspects unrelated to the focused definition of metadata. Unstructured data without organization does not fall under the concept of data about data. Actual data contained within a database refers to the primary information stored, while an organized report generated from queries pertains to results derived from actual data rather than descriptions of that data. Hence, the understanding of metadata as informative data about data makes option B the appropriate choice.