A Canonical Data Model (CDM) is a design pattern used in data integration and exchange to create a standardized format for data that will be shared across different systems.
* Canonical Data Model Definition:
* A CDM provides a common, consistent, and agreed-upon representation of data across different systems within an organization.
* It serves as an intermediary format to simplify data exchange and integration.
* Standardization:
* The primary purpose of a CDM is to standardize the format of data. This ensures that data from different sources can be integrated, understood, and used without needing extensive transformation or reformatting.
* It addresses the problem of data heterogeneity, where different systems may have their own data formats and structures.
* Data Integration:
* By using a CDM, organizations can facilitate easier and more efficient data integration processes.
Data from various systems can be mapped to the canonical model, enabling seamless data exchange and interoperability.
* It simplifies the maintenance and management of data integration solutions by providing a single, unified data model.
* Use Cases:
* CDMs are commonly used in enterprise application integration (EAI), service-oriented architectures (SOA), and other environments where data needs to be exchanged between multiple systems.