(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
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- Blog posts 2009-11-30
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- Blog posts 2009-11-29
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-28
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-26
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-26
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-25
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- Software downloads 2009-11-25
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- Software downloads 2009-11-25
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- Product reviews 2009-11-24
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-24
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- Software downloads 2009-11-24
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- Software downloads 2009-11-24
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- Software downloads 2009-11-24
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- Software downloads 2009-11-24
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- Total controlWhat a bunch of lies, nothing more than socialist control over the world.You cannot eat meat, you cannot drive, you cannot use A/C, you cannot use a dryer.Next thing will be a limit on children like in China.I guess our new leader will let us know if we can...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-23
- Data Robotics debuts enterprise-ready DroboElite, five-bay Drobo S
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- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- Chrome OS: More questions than answers?
- And exactly why....would students be part of the target market or any other particular group for that matter?This is a silly post. Chrome will be lean, cloud based, local caching of data, some and growing off-line capabilities and probably grow in features/capabilities over time. It will NOT be everything to...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-23
- Beware business cloud dangers, says EU agency
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-23
- Let's get rid of usernames and passwords for good
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-23
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