Data lineage analysis

A computer system for tracing data flow, comprises:

• a domain profiler, implemented by at least one processing device, operable to profile and classify domains based on features of columns containing data;
• a lineage analyser operable to generate lineage results based on the domains, the lineage analyser comprises:
• a timestamp-based lineage generator to generate the lineage results when database tables for the domains include audit columns;
• a stroboscopic-sampling based lineage generator to generate the lineage results when one of a semantic object and columns mapped to a single domain is present and the database tables for the domains do not include the audit columns;
• and
• a record-based lineage generator to generate the lineage results when a lineage between a source schema and a target schema is to be determined;
• and
• a display unit to facilitate displaying of the lineage results.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises:

• instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of tracing data flow, comprises:
• profiling and classifying, by at least one processing device, domains based on features of columns containing data;
• selecting a lineage analysis method, comprises:
• when the database tables for the domains include audit columns, selecting a timestamp-based lineage method;
• when one of a semantic object and a column mapped to a single domain is present, selecting a stroboscopic-sampling based lineage method;
• and
• when a lineage between a source schema and a target schema is to be ascertained, selecting a record-based lineage method;
• executing the selected lineage method;
• and
• presenting lineage results.