Meta Data Dictionary (MDD)

Introduction

The META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) file is a summary of all the VA FileMan files within a Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) installation. It enables users to quickly identify where information is stored within files and fields throughout the VistA system.

The META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) file contains the following fields:

• NAME (#.01)—Contains the dictionary name followed by the field name with the underscore (“_”) connecting the two. If the field is a Multiple, then the Multiple name is included.
  
  
• LOOKUP TERM (#.02)—Final field name.
  
  
• DATA DICTIONARY NUMBER (#.03)—Internal entry number (IEN) for the dictionary represented.
  
  
• FIELD NUMBER (#.04)—Internal entry number (IEN) for the field represented.
  
  
• DATA (#.05)—Indicator that the field contains data.
  
  
• OBJECT NAME (#.06)—CamelCase representation of the NAME (#.01) field.
  
  
• LAST UPDATED (#.07)—Indicates the last date/time this field was last edited.
  
  
• DESCRIPTION (#1)—Field description.
  
  
• BUILD(S) (#9.6)—Displays all of the builds where this field was included.
  
  
• TYPE (#25)—Data Type of the field.

META DATA DICTIONARY (#.9) File Sample Entry:

NUMBER: 21336                           NAME: NEW PERSON_NAME
  LOOKUP TERM: NAME                     DATA DICTIONARY NUMBER: 200
  FIELD NUMBER: .01                     OBJECT NAME: newPerson.name
  LAST UPDATED: DEC 30,2015@08:02:19
 DESCRIPTION:   Answer must be 3-35 upper-case characters in length, and be in
 the format Family(Last),Given(First) Middle Suffix. Enter '??' for more help.  
  Enter only data that is actually part of the person's name. Do not include
 extra titles, identification, flags, local information, etc.  Enter the
 person's name in 'LAST,FIRST MIDDLE SUFFIX' format.  This value must be 3-35
 characters in length and may contain only uppercase alpha characters, spaces,
 apostrophes, hyphens and one comma.  All other characters and parenthetical
 text will be removed.  
BUILD(S) (c): XU*8.0*120
            : XU*8.0*135
            : XU*8.0*134
            : XU*8.0*551                TYPE (c): FREE TEXT