What type of metadata is crucial for the integration process in Informatica Cloud?

The importance of source and target metadata in the integration process in Informatica Cloud cannot be overstated. Source metadata provides detailed information about the data structure, format, and characteristics of the source systems being integrated. It includes definitions of the data fields, data types, and how the data is organized within those systems. This understanding is essential because it guides the mapping process, allowing developers to pull the right data from the sources.

Target metadata serves a similar function for the destination systems where the integrated data will be loaded. It defines how the data should be structured, formatted, and stored once it reaches the target systems. This ensures data integrity, compatibility, and overall accuracy during the transfer and loading process.

Together, source and target metadata enable seamless data integration by providing the necessary context and structure to map, transform, and load data accurately between different systems. Without this metadata, the integration process would be fraught with challenges, leading to errors and misinterpretations of the data being transferred.