What does datasource.name mean?
A data source is the origin of information used by an application. The name property identifies one configured source so that code, queries, workflows, or administrators can refer to it. Read as a property path, datasource.name means “the name of the data source.” The lowercase spelling is common in configuration, while DataSource.Name may appear in typed APIs and product interfaces.
The field does not describe the data itself. It labels the connection or provider that makes the data available. Two sources can expose the same kind of records while using different credentials, regions, environments, or update schedules, so a clear name is often essential for choosing the correct one.
Datasource, data source, and connection
Data source is the general concept; datasource is a compact identifier frequently used in code and configuration. A connection is the live or reusable channel to that source. Some platforms treat a datasource as a full connection profile, while others separate the logical source from its credentials and connection pool.
Because terminology varies, inspect sibling fields. Properties such as driver, url, provider, database, bucket, or credentials usually reveal whether datasource.name is a display label, a service-registration key, or a lookup value with runtime behavior.
Where the field appears
The field is especially common in Java and service configuration, business intelligence models, ETL pipelines, observability schemas, and content systems. The same shape also works well in AI workflows where models consume scripts, reference images, audio, or footage from multiple libraries.
- Application configuration: choosing a database or registered service.
- Analytics: naming a model's upstream database, file, or semantic layer.
- Data pipelines: identifying the source for an import or synchronization job.
- Media systems: selecting an upload collection, asset library, or cloud bucket.
Common property patterns
These examples illustrate how the property may be nested. They are descriptive patterns, not fields guaranteed by every platform.
spring.datasource.namefilmgine-primaryA framework-scoped datasource label.
asset.datasource.nameproject-media-libraryThe source used to browse production assets.
audio.datasource.namelicensed-soundtrack-libraryA named source for audio inputs.
training.datasource.nameapproved-reference-setA controlled source of training or reference data.
Datasource names in AI filmmaking
An AI filmmaking project can draw from many inputs: a script, character references, uploaded footage, generated images, voice tracks, and licensed music. A datasource name gives each collection a recognizable identity so the workflow can show where an asset came from and which source should be used for the next step.
The conceptual example keeps provenance and access mode alongside the name. It does not represent a published Filmgine API. In a production schema, credentials should be stored separately and never embedded in the datasource name.
{
"asset": {
"datasource": {
"name": "project-media-library",
"type": "managed-assets",
"access": "read"
}
}
}Naming and implementation guidance
Name the logical source, not its password, token, hostname, or other secret.
Include environment only when it prevents real ambiguity, for example production-catalog.
Keep provider and type in separate fields instead of encoding every detail in the name.
Treat the name as mutable unless the schema explicitly makes it a stable key.
Record provenance and permissions separately so a friendly label does not become a security boundary.
Frequently asked questions
Is datasource.name the same as a database name?
Not necessarily. It may name a connection profile or logical provider whose database is identified by another field.
Is DataSource.Name equivalent to datasource.name?
They express the same property idea in many contexts, but casing and behavior depend on the language, framework, and schema.
Can a datasource name change?
Often yes. Use a separate immutable ID when workflows or external systems need a reference that survives renaming.