Where is the technical metadata for relational databases typically stored?

The technical metadata for relational databases is typically stored in specialized tables in the database known as the System Catalog. The System Catalog contains critical information about the database's structure, including details about tables, columns, data types, constraints, indexes, and relationships between tables. This catalog acts as a definitive reference for the database management system (DBMS) to enforce integrity and to optimize the performance of queries.

By storing technical metadata in the System Catalog, it allows both the DBMS and database administrators to easily access and manage the structure and organization of the data. Moreover, this catalog is essential for utilities and tools that depend on accurate metadata to perform tasks such as query optimization and data integrity checking.

In contrast, the other options refer to different types or locations of metadata that focus on various aspects of data analysis, management, or usage rather than strictly technical metadata pertinent to database structure and definitions. For instance, a data catalog typically serves as a repository for information about data assets, such as data quality and lineage, but it doesn’t usually contain the technical definitions stored specifically in the System Catalog.