Exploring catalogs, schemas, and tables

Learn to navigate the available data to understand where each piece of information lives before writing a query.

When to use this

• Use it when you do not know which table to query.
• Use it to understand how data is organized by catalog, schema, table, and column.
• Use it before requesting access to a data set.

Before you start

• You need access to the Infinite Data Console.
• Have a clear business question.
• If you know part of the table or column name, use it in the search.

Step by step

1. Open Data Catalog or QueryMesh Explorer.
2. Select the catalog related to the data domain.
3. Expand the schemas to see the available tables.
4. Click a table to see its columns and context information.
5. Compare names, descriptions, and columns before choosing the table.
6. If the table looks right, move on to querying or requesting access.

What happens next

• You will know which table to use and which access may be missing.
• If querying is allowed, the table can be used in QueryMesh Explorer.
• If access is missing, your request to the manager will be more precise.

Common errors

• The table does not appear: you may be in the wrong catalog, or without access to the metadata.
• Columns appear but the query fails: you may be able to see metadata and not yet query the data.
• Many similar tables: check with the data owner before requesting broad access.

Good practice

• Start from the smallest data area that answers the question.
• Use full catalog, schema, and table names when asking for help.
• Avoid querying tables without understanding what the main columns mean.

Next steps

• Using QueryMesh Explorer
• Glossary