Metadata management

Internet distribution of data has increased the importance of metadata. Data custodians are able to release a dataset to the entire world for download without any personal interaction. The metadata record of a geospatial dataset can follow that to help ensure that the integrity and accountability for that data is maintained. Properly formatted metadata also allows for automated cataloguing, search indexing, and integration of datasets. Metadata has become so important that a common mantra within the geospatial community is Data without metadata isn't data, meaning that a geospatial dataset cannot be fully utilized and understood without metadata. The following section will list some of the common metadata tools that are available. The OGC standard for metadata management is the Catalog Service for the Web (CSW), which creates a metadata-based catalog system and an API for distributing and discovering datasets.

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For an excellent example of a CSW and client built...