metadata-driven application

noun
UK /ˌmɛtəˈdeɪtə ˈdrɪvən ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/
US /ˌmɛtəˈdeɪtə ˈdrɪvən ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/

A computer program that uses extra information about its data to decide how it looks and works.

The school's metadata-driven application automatically shows new subjects as soon as a teacher adds them.

SYNONYMS

data-described applicationconfiguration-based applicationmodel-driven applicationmetadata-powered app

RELATED WORDS

metadatadata modelconfigurationschemalow-code platform

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A software system whose screens and forms are generated from stored descriptions rather than hand-written code.

Because it is metadata-driven, the app built the new form without any programming.

3. An application that changes its behavior at runtime by reading descriptive tags about its content.

The metadata-driven application switched to a different layout when it detected image files.

4. A program where business rules and fields are defined in a central catalog that the software reads.

Adding a new field to the catalog instantly updated the metadata-driven application.