A data element is defined by size (in characters) and type (alphanumeric, numeric only, true/false, date, etc.). A specific set of values or range of values may also be part of the definition.

A unit of data stored in a field. For example, "M000675" and "M000676" are data items in the "Account Number" field in two records (the data element "Account Number"). See field. THIS DEFINITION ...