Side Quest idea: Metadata handling

[vdauwera]

Nextflow has some really cool features for metadata handling and propagation (eg the CSV parsing and metamap). Would be great to provide some guidance and show people how to use them effectively.

Scope for the side quest: domain-agnostic illustration of basic concepts and best practice recommendations.

Next level: include a metadata handling section in the Nextflow for Science (NF4 Genomics etc) courses showing how the basics apply to those domains.

[mahesh-panchal]

Some things for me.

• Metadata is data about data. This could be data properties, relationships, or just about anything that needs to be propagated with inputs.
• How does it differ from other data inputs? When does it become defined as metadata?
• Where does metadata apply?
  • With process inputs
  • With configuration
  • Controls workflow logic