1. A system for accessing data in an information source, said system comprising: an information source having storage spaces, each said storage space configured to store types of data defined by physical metadata elements; a metadata repository configured to store two sets of metadata elements, wherein a first set of said metadata elements comprises said physical metadata elements of said information source, and wherein said second set of metadata elements comprises logical metadata elements, each of which correspond to at least one physical metadata element of said first set; and a MetaMatrix server coupled to said metadata repository and to said information source, wherein said MetaMatrix server is configured to receive a query request for a logical metadata element from a user via an application programming interface, and to retrieve from said information source the data defined by the corresponding physical metadata element.