What is Data Catalog

Definition

A data catalog is a centralised, searchable inventory of an organisation's data assets that records metadata such as descriptions, schemas, ownership, lineage, and usage, helping people discover what data exists, understand it, and decide whether they can trust and use it.

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Makes datasets discoverable through search so teams stop rebuilding data that already exists
Attaches business context, ownership, and definitions to otherwise cryptic tables
Surfaces trust signals such as quality scores and certification on each asset
Accelerates onboarding by giving new analysts a self-service map of the data estate

Real World Example

A large bank rolls out a data catalog where analysts search for 'mortgage balance', instantly see the certified table, its owner, refresh schedule, and lineage, and request access without filing a ticket.

FAQs

What does a data catalog contain?

It holds metadata about each asset, including descriptions, schemas, owners, lineage, quality indicators, and usage statistics.

How does a catalog help discovery?

It provides search and rich context so users can find the right dataset and judge whether it is trustworthy without asking around.

How is a catalog different from a database?

A database stores the data itself, while a catalog stores searchable metadata describing those datasets across many systems.