Visualizing relationships between data elements and graphical representations of data element attributes

A system including:

• means for storing metadata in a data storage system;
• means for computing summary data identifying one or more characteristics of each of multiple metadata objects stored in the data storage system;
• means for storing the summary data characterizing a given metadata object in association with the given metadata object;
• and
• means for generating a visual representation of a diagram that illustrates at least three aspects of the given metadata object, the at least three aspects including:
• relationships between the given metadata object and other metadata objects, the relationships being represented between nodes that represent the other metadata objects and a node that represents the given metadata object;
• a context of the given metadata object, with the given metadata object being shown in a group based on the context;
• and
• a characteristic identified by the summary data characterizing the given metadata object;
• wherein generating the visual representation includes superimposing a representation of the characteristic in proximity to the node representing the given metadata object.

A computer system configured to:

• store metadata in a data storage system;
• compute summary data identifying one or more characteristics of each of multiple metadata objects stored in the data storage system;
• store the summary data characterizing a given metadata object in association with the given metadata object;
• and
• generate a visual representation of a diagram that illustrates at least three aspects of the given metadata object, the at least three aspects including:
• relationships between the given metadata object and other metadata objects, the relationships being represented between nodes that represent the other metadata objects and a node that represents the given metadata object;
• a context of the given metadata object, with the given metadata object being shown in a group based on the context;
• and
• a characteristic identified by the summary data characterizing the given metadata object;
• wherein generating the visual representation includes superimposing a representation of the characteristic in proximity to the node representing the given metadata object.

A computer-readable medium storing a computer program, the computer program including executable instructions for causing a computer to:

• store metadata in a data storage system,
• compute summary data identifying one or more characteristics of each of multiple metadata objects stored in the data storage system,
• store the summary data characterizing a given metadata object in association with the given metadata object, and
• generate a visual representation of a diagram representing respective that illustrates at least three aspects of the given metadata object, the at least three aspects including:
• relationships between the given metadata object and other metadata objects, the relationships being represented between nodes that represent the other metadata objects and a node that represents the given metadata object;
• a context of the given metadata object, with the given metadata object being shown in a group based on the context;
• and
• a characteristic identified by the summary data characterizing the given metadata object;
• wherein generating the visual representation includes superimposing a representation of the characteristic in proximity to the node representing the given metadata object.