Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to systems and corresponding methods for providing metadata aware background caching amongst various tables in data processing systems, the system configured to process either an original copy of data stored or data stored in derived tables in one or more data stores, the system including: a query optimization module, a catalog module, and a dataset manager. Each of the query optimization module, catalog module, and dataset manager may be communicatively connected to the original copy of data and the derived tables in one or more data stores. The query optimization module configured to conduct queries against data stored in the original copy of data or in the derived tables; the catalog module configured to register tables of data across various types and formats of data stores; and the dataset manager configured to maintain the freshness of the data in the derived tables.