DBMS > Inroduction > Difference between Data and information

Data: Stored representations of objects and events that have meaning and importance in the user’s environment.

For example,

a. In a salesperson’s database, the data would include facts such as

• customer name,
• address, and
• telephone number.

This type of data is called structured data. The most important structured data types are numeric, character, and dates.

b. The salesperson’s database might include a photo image of the customer contact. It might also include a sound recording or video clip about the most recent product. This type of data is referred to as unstructured data, or as multimedia data.

         

     Not really data as there are no headings        This is meaningful dataset

 

Information: Data that have been processed in such a way that the knowledge of the person who uses the data is increased. 

Convert data into information: By summarizing or processing data and present them for human interpretation.

For example, following figure shows summarized student enrolment data presented as graphical information. This information could be used as a basis for deciding whether to add new courses or to hire new faculty members.

 

 

 

 

No More

Next

What is Database?

Feedback

Submit