Definition

Either a physical object or a digital object. 

Source: Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems. Open Archival Information System (OAIS) recommended practice. CCSDS 650.0-M-2.

Introduction

OAIS models information around the principle that "data interpreted using its representation information yields information." 

This principle enables libraries, archives, and museums to apply one conceptual data model to physical objects and digital objects.

Representation information includes, for example, technical information about the file formats that are used to bundle data (i.e., bitstreams) into digital objects that can be accessed and stored.

In most cases, a digital data object is a File (digital object). 

Related terms

Content data object

Data Object Type

Digital object

File (digital object)

File format

Information object

Representation information

Further reading

Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems. Open Archival Information System (OAIS) recommended practice. CCSDS 650.0-M-2.