Temporal data refers to information that is associated with a specific time or period. This type of data is crucial for understanding changes over time, such as trends in weather patterns, economic indicators, or social behaviors. It can be collected at regular intervals, like daily temperatures, or irregularly, such as significant historical events. In databases, temporal data can be categorized into two main types: transaction time and valid time. Transaction time records when data is stored, while valid time indicates the period during which the data is accurate. This distinction helps in analyzing how information evolves and remains relevant over time.