Metadata in computer science refers to data about data. In other words, it provides information about how and when a particular set of data was collected, who collected it, and what condition it was collected in. By collecting metadata, organizations can track changes over time and know who is responsible for any given piece of information. Metadata also helps organizations manage their data more effectively, making it easier to store, access, and share across systems. Ultimately, the purpose of metadata computer science is to make data easier to understand and utilize.