computer science

System of record

System of record is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand System of record rather than just read about it. In short: A system of record (SOR) or source system of record (SSoR) is a data management term for an information storage system (commonly implemented on a computer system running a database management system) that is the authoritative data source for a given data element or piece of information, like for example a row (or record) in a table. In data vault it is referred to as the record source.

Key takeaways

System of record belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect System of record to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of System of record from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A system of record (SOR) or source system of record (SSoR) is a data management term for an information storage system (commonly implemented on a computer system running a database management system) that is the authoritative data source for a given data element or piece of information, like for example a row (or record) in a table. In data vault it is referred to as the record source.

Background The need to identify systems of record can become acute in organizations where management information systems have been built by taking output data from multiple source systems, re-processing this data, and then re-presenting the result for a new business use. In these cases, multiple information systems may disagree about the same piece of information. These disagreements may stem from semantic differences, differences in opinion, use of different sources, differences in the timing of the extract, transform, load processes that create the data they report against, or may simply be the result of bugs.

Use The integrity and validity of any data set is open to question when there is no traceable connection to a good source, and listing a source system of record is a solution to this. Where the integrity of the data is vital, if there is an agreed system of record, the data element must either be linked to, or extracted directly from it. In other cases, the provenance and estimated data quality should be documented. The "system of record" approach is a good fit for environments where both:

there is a single authority over all data consumers, and all consumers have similar needs

Trade-offs In diverse environments, one instead needs to support the presence of multiple opinions. Consumers may accept different authorities or may differ on what constitutes an authoritative source—researchers may prefer carefully vetted data, while tactical military systems may require the most recent credible report.

See also Golden record (informatics), the master version or valid version of a data element in a single source of truth system Master data management, defining the handling of master data Privacy Act of 1974, U.S. law including requirement for agencies to publish System Of Records Notices (SORN) in the Federal Register to identify the system and describe the use of individuals' data. Single source of truth, practice of using one source for a particular data element

References Bersin, Josh (2012-08-16). "The Move from Systems of Record to Systems Of Engagement". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-04-19. Goucher, Adam (2006-04-26). "The Golden Copy". Retrieved 2013-04-30. Inmon, Bill (May 2003). "The System of Record in the Global Data Warehouse". Information Management. Archived from the original on 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2007-12-18. Nwaneri, Chineye (2019-02-12). "System of Record, System of Reference, Golden Records, and other confusing terms in Master Data Management". Retrieved 2020-06-06.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with System of record

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what System of record claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to System of record before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about System of record ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of System of record

In research: System of record appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses System of record in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: System of record is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Computing stubs, Data management, Information systems, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for System of record outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study System of record in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what System of record means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain System of record out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is System of record in simple terms?

Why does System of record matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study System of record?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on System of record.