# Dataspaces There could be many definitions for a dataspace. A more academic definition would be: Dataspace is a joint effort that consists of loosely coupled, independent actors with equal rights that act as data producers, data stewards and data consumers in a business-to-business fashion. A simpler definition is also described in our [FAQ page](https://trustrelay.io/faq): "Dataspaces are an abstraction of a group of companies and people sharing data for a common purpose". {% hint style="warning" %} This is not to be confused with data warehouses or data lakes, as dataspaces are not "housing data" instead they just represent a virtual space to add members and peers. {% endhint %} A dataspace may be useful when the needs of the organization to share data **crosses the organizational walls**. It doesn't mean that you cannot invite your colleagues, but if all members of the dataspace belong to the same company, then a centralized solution is not a political obstacle. Within a dataspace other elements are enabled, such as service connections, commons and agreement templates. Each user within a dataspace exists in the context of a corresponding organization (organizational unit). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.trustrelay.io/elements/dataspaces.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.