Machine Processable Artifact

A Machine Processable Artifact is an artifact that is designed to be processed by machine systems (to support automated processing tasks).

• AKA: Digital Artifact, Machine-Readable Item, Computational Artifact.
• Context:
  • It can typically serve as a Digital Input for automated systems.
  • It can typically enable Machine Processing through digital formats.
  • It can typically support Data Transformation through standardized protocols.
  • It can typically maintain Digital Integrity through validation mechanisms.
  • It can typically facilitate Automated Analysis through structured formats.
  • ...
  • It can often provide Version Control through metadata tracking.
  • It can often enable System Integration through interface protocols.
  • It can often support Batch Processing through automation scripts.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Data File to being a Complex Knowledge Base, depending on its content complexity.
  • It can range from being a Basic Format to being an Advanced Format, depending on its structural sophistication.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Processing Systems for automated handling.
  • It can connect to Storage Systems for digital preservation.
  • It can support Analysis Systems for data extraction.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Structured Data Artifacts, such as:
    • Databases, such as:
      • SQL Database for relational data storage.
      • NoSQL Database for document storage.
    • Data Files, such as:
      • CSV File for tabular data.
      • XML File for hierarchical data.
  • Executable Artifacts, such as:
    • Computer Programs, such as:
      • Application Software for user tasks.
      • System Software for platform operations.
    • Scripts, such as:
      • Shell Script for system automation.
      • Batch File for task automation.
  • Knowledge Artifacts, such as:
    • Semantic Resources, such as:
      • Machine-Processable Ontology for knowledge representation.
      • Semantic Wiki Page for structured documentation.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Physical Artifacts, which require manual digitization for machine processing.
  • Human Processable Artifacts, which are designed for human interpretation rather than machine consumption.
  • Analog Artifacts, which lack digital encoding for direct processing.
• See: Digital Resource, Computational Entity, Information System, Data Processing Task, Machine Learning Input.

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