(1) Technically, raw facts and figures, such as orders and payments, which are processed into information, such as balance due and quantity on hand. However, in common usage, the terms data and information are used synonymously. In addition, the term data is really the plural of "datum," which is one item of data. But datum is rarely used, and data is used as both singular and plural in practice.
The amount of data versus information kept in the computer is a tradeoff. Data can be processed into different forms of information, but it takes time to sort and sum transactions. Up-to-date information can provide instant answers.
A common misconception is that software is also data. Software is executed, or run, by the computer. Data are "processed." Thus, software causes the computer to process data.
(2) Any form of information whether on paper or in electronic form. Data may refer to any electronic file no matter what the format: database data, text, images, audio and video. Everything read and written by the computer can be considered data except for instructions in a program that are executed (software).
The amount of data versus information kept in the computer is a tradeoff. Data can be processed into different forms of information, but it takes time to sort and sum transactions. Up-to-date information can provide instant answers.
A common misconception is that software is also data. Software is executed, or run, by the computer. Data are "processed." Thus, software causes the computer to process data.
(2) Any form of information whether on paper or in electronic form. Data may refer to any electronic file no matter what the format: database data, text, images, audio and video. Everything read and written by the computer can be considered data except for instructions in a program that are executed (software).
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- HP: How about your own personal smart grid for your data center?
- HP combines data center energy management portfolio into real-time "smart grid" solution. by Heather Clancy
- Blog posts 2009-11-05
- Aster Data architects application logic with data for speeded-up analytics processing en masse
- When both data and applications reside in the same system, they are independent of one another, but both execute as "first-class citizens" with their respective data and application management services. by Dana Gardner
- Blog posts 2009-11-03
- Photos: Inside a Microsoft data center
- CNET News' Ina Fried tours Microsoft's massive new Chicago-area data center during recent grand opening event. by CNET News.com
- Image galleries 2009-11-02
- Peering inside Microsoft's giant data center
- CNET's Ina Fried speaks to two of the designers of Microsoft's just-opened data center in Chicago.
- Videos 2009-11-02
- (Photos: Inside a Microsoft data center)
- WowThey spent a lot of time designing and planning the inside. Looks like there's plenty of room for growth.It's too bad the building's exterior looks like a junior high school from 1983!RE: (Photos: Inside a Microsoft data center)kootharifyingly superb!!!
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- PhoneView 2.3.1 (Mac)
- PhoneView is a Mac OS X application which lets you use your iPhone or iPod Touch for file storage, edit and add notes from your Mac, and export SMS/MMS, voicemail, contacts and call history data. It features drag and drop, making it fast and easy to move files back and...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- Formal or ad hoc? Fewer than half of data center pros have real green plan
- So, who cares?I will bet you that 90+% of all "data center pros" have ZERO green metrics in their wage plan.So, why should they give a s_h-i_t?
- Discussion threads 2009-11-01
- Formal or ad hoc? Fewer than half of data center pros have real green plan
- Yes, most data center professionals are doing SOMETHING to green their facilities. Then why do more than half of them still expect to outgrow their existing space within five years? by Heather Clancy
- Blog posts 2009-11-01
- Data LifeSaver 3.63 (Windows)
- Data LifeSaver Data Recovery provides file system recovery after partitioning and formatting or virus attacks. Typically these are hard disks, memory cards, ZIP drives, memory cards, floppy disks, and other media that are formatted with Windows (NTFS, FAT 12/16/32) file systems. You only have to pick the partition, volume or...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Market-Leading Data-Modeling Tools: Research Report from the Burton Group
- The Burton Group provides an in-depth research report on Market-Leading Data-Modeling Tools. According to their research, basic data modeling tools have become commoditized - basic features are yesterday's news! Today's emphasis is less on data modeling features and more on Architecture. According to this research; Sybase PowerDesigner is...
- White papers 2009-11-01
- Keeper Password & Data Vault 2.0 (Mac)
- Where do you write down your secret passwords, PIN numbers, etc...? Notepad? PDF? Excel? That's not safe and you deserve a better solution! Keeper is the safest and most secure way to store all of your secret passwords, notes, website logins and other top secret personal information on your laptop...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Data Exchange Wizard 3.6.2.1 (Windows)
- Data Exchange Wizard can import data from a text file, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, or a Microsoft Access databases into any database, including Oracle, MS SQL Server or any ODBC compliant database. Alternatively, data can be exported from Oracle, MS SQL Server or any ODBC database into a flat file....
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Data Destroyer 10.24 (Windows)
- A program for secure file deletion and disk wipe which destroys (or purges, by overwriting) data in files on floppy, ZIP or hard disk so that the data cannot be recovered. A single file can be purged or, in batch mode, multiple files can be purged in one operation. Selected...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- Lower the Cost of Your Data with IBM System x Servers and DB2
- It's no secret, IBM has set the world record for the most database transactions per minute on a single Intel-based server. That achievement came with a price - in fact, the lowest price per transaction in its class. Have you been questioning the real cost of upgrading your database infrastructure?...
- Webcasts 2009-11-01
- Internet performance management makes data center consolidation possible
- Fewer data centers means longer distances between servers and users. Network services and Internet performance management therefore need to be brought considered to produce the desired effect of topnotch applications and data delivery to enterprises, consumers, partners, and employees at far lower cost. by Dana Gardner
- Blog posts 2009-10-30
- Apple TV update looks good but doesn't offer much more
- I second your thoughts, Sam.The updates were nice, but hardly worth it from the functional standpoint. Yes, Netflix would be nice, although iTunes provides most, if not all, of what Netflix would, doesn't it?One thing Tim Cook mentioned during the most recent earnings call was that Apple was going to...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-30
- Navicat (Oracle GUI) 8.2.16 (Windows)
- Navicat Oracle GUI is an Oracle database management tool, which can convert XML, CSV, MS Excel, MS Access, and popular data formats to MySQL databases, eliminating time-consuming data entry and the errors that accompany it. Other useful major features include Import and Export wizard, Unicode support, SSH Tunnel, Batch Job...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- Navicat (MySQL GUI) 8.2.16 (Windows)
- Navicat MySQL GUI is a MySQL database management tool, which can convert XML, CSV, MS Excel, MS Access, and popular data formats to MySQL databases, eliminating time-consuming data entry and the errors that accompany it. Other useful major features include Import and Export wizard, Unicode support, HTTP/SSH Tunnel, Batch Job...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- Outsourcing the data centre to a carrier neutral data centre operator in Europe
- Should you outsource your data centre? You should if your organization has mission critical IT services, latency dependent Web services, business critical applications, or Internet centric services that need to be constantly available. Hear industry experts as they take a look at how some of today's most successful organizations are...
- Webcasts 2009-10-28
- Why is Microsoft opening up its Outlook file format now?
- Customer says: nopen/tPartner: Can't hurtIf I had to list out things I'd like to see from Microsoft, this would not be on the top of the list, but it's a great move I think.People looking to move away from other mail systems could see more tools available that make the...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-27
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