> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://research.docs.laws.africa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://research.docs.laws.africa/reading-sources/what-metadata-is.md).

# What metadata is

What metadata is, and why it matters

{% hint style="info" %}
**What you will be able to do**

* Name the pieces of information a researcher captures for every law
* Explain what each one is used for
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Metadata is the structured information about a law, as opposed to the text of the law itself. It is how a law is found, sorted, linked and kept up to date. Researchers are the people who capture it.
{% endhint %}

### What we capture

| Metadata                           | Example                                                | Used for                                  |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Title**                          | Nursing Act, 2004                                      | Finding and citing the law                |
| **Type, subtype, number and year** | Act 8 of 2004; GN 213 of 2004                          | Identifying it uniquely                   |
| **Publication details**            | Gazette name, number and date                          | Proving where it was officially published |
| **Assent and commencement dates**  | When it was signed, and when it came into force        | Knowing which version applied when        |
| **Relationships**                  | Its primary work; what commences, amends or repeals it | Keeping it up to date                     |
| **Status**                         | In force, not commenced, repealed                      | Telling readers whether it still applies  |

Most of this comes from two places: the gazette the law was published in, and the text of the law itself. The next lessons cover each.