Directory Entry

Purpose

A directory is a predefined list of permitted values used in Dateno to describe standardized attributes of datasets and catalogs. Directories ensure consistent categorization and enable accurate filtering and search across large collections of metadata.

Directories are used wherever values must be selected from a fixed set—such as countries, languages, data formats, catalog types, or topics. This approach guarantees uniformity in metadata and prevents issues caused by typos, ambiguity, or inconsistent naming.

Each value in a directory is called a directory entry.

A directory entry is a structured object that represents one item in a directory. It provides both a persistent identifier and a human-readable label for the value.

Directories are essential in:

• Metadata records in dataset descriptors and dataset cards
• Facets in the web interface
• Filters in API queries

Structure

Each directory entry is a JSON object that contains the following required properties.

Property	Description
id	Stable identifier for internal processing and filtering (e.g., "FR" for France)
name	Human-readable label for display in the user interface (e.g., "France")

The property names id and name are typical, but in some directories alternative names such as code or title may be used. Some directories may also include additional properties relevant to the domain, such as region codes, MIME types, or software identifiers.

Localization Note

While the id remains fixed regardless of interface language, the name may vary depending on localization settings. For example, the country "FR" can be labeled as "Ֆրանսիա" when the UI language is Armenian. Currently, only English is supported in Dateno, but additional languages may be added in the future.

Examples

/* Directory entry in the countries array */
"countries": [
  {
    "id": "CA",
    "name": "Canada"
  }
]

/* Directory entry in the langs array */
"langs": [
  {
    "id": "FR",
    "name": "French"
  }
]