One example method includes receiving a first request from a first application for data corresponding to a first schema, the first request including information specifying the first schema. A first data type mapping to the first schema is determined using a schema definition from a data dictionary. Data of the first data type is obtained from first data source(s), and forwarded to the first application. A second request is received from a second application for data of a second data type, the second request including information specifying the second data type. It is determined that a schema definition for the second data type is unknown. A new schema definition for the second data type is generated to include a second schema mapping to the second data type. Data of the second data type is obtained from second data source(s), and forwarded to the second application, along with the second schema.