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Repository

Vangie Beal
Last Updated January 28, 2022 12:00 pm

Generally, an information technology repository (or repo) is a centralized place where data is stored and maintained in an organized way, typically in computer storage. A repository can serve different functions. It can be directly accessible to users without having to travel across a network, or it can be a place in which specific databases, files, or documents are stored for access or distribution. A repository can be the aggregation of the data itself into an accessible place of storage, or it could allow for selective extraction of data.

How is the term used?

Repository is a broad term that can be used to describe various ways to collect and store data, including:

  • Database: a collection of information organized in such a way that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data.
  • Data warehouse: A large data repository that aggregates data from multiple sources or segments of a business.
  • Data lake: A large data repository that stores unstructured data that is classified and tagged with metadata.
  • Data mart: subsets of a data repository. These are typically smaller and focused on a particular area or department.
  • Data cube: Lists of data with three or more dimensions stored as a table.

Software repository

A software repo is a storage location for software packages, where things such as a table of contents, source code, and metadata are located. Within an enterprise, a software repository is used to store artifacts or mirror external repositories that may otherwise be unavailable due to security restrictions.

A software repository can provide additional functionality such as access control, versioning, security checks for uploaded software, and cluster functionality. It typically supports a variety of formats in order to provide a single source of truth. There are also built-in security features such as anti-malware design and an authentication system to protect users. In theory, a genuine user should be able to log into a safe environment, find specific software or code resources, and get them for interacting with the software system as a whole.

Hosted software repos such as GitHub, BitBucket, and SourceForge can be used when a company is creating a software repository for proprietary or open-source products.

What is the need for repositories?

Fast-Track Decision-Making

Using data repos is a great way to consolidate data that is critical to operations. This allows for quick access to data for fast-track decision-making. It also helps streamline reporting and analysis.

Debugging and Testing

Repositories can make code testing and debugging easier, as they allow users to query or add data from the database to the application without needing to hard-code that dependency into the code.

Version Control and Comparison

A repository can be used in version control systems to store metadata for directory structure or a set of files. The repo can be used to duplicate the whole set of information on every user’s system, or it can be used to maintain the data on a single service. A repo can also be used to compare versions as it stores a history of changes made to the stored data.

Types of data repositories

Content Repository: A content repo is a database of digital content, such as documents, digital assets, images, video, audio, and more. A well-known example of a content repository is a content management system (CMS) stored on file servers.

Disciplinary Repository: A disciplinary repo contains data related to a particular subject area. It often includes work from academic scholars who specialize in that subject area. A disciplinary repository accepts work from scholars that contain data or work associated with that particular subject matter.

Information repository: Information repos can have a broader meaning; however, relating to IT, it refers to a digital space that keeps and maintains data in an organized way.

Institutional Repository: A repo that contains an archive of digital copies of the intellectual output of an institution is known as an institutional repository. It is most commonly used for a research institution.

Software Repository

Software Repository: A software repo is a digital space where data can be retrieved from. There are different forms of software repositories, such as source code repository or package repository.

Top Repository Software

Software as a Service (SaaS) Repository Software:

  • GitHub: A code hosting platform, GitHub is most suited for version control and collaboration
  • Bitbucket: A type of source code repo offering free and commercial accounts
  • Assembla: A web-based version for version control and source code management software

Repository Management Software

  • Apache Archiva: A type of extendible repository management system used to manage personal or enterprise-level repositories
  • Package Drone: A free and open-source software repo by Eclipse Foundation
  • ProGet: A repository management system to host and manage applications, components, and packages

This definition was updated in January 2022 by Ali Azhar.