Webster's unabridged dictionary (1913) defines data as: n : a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn; "statistical data" [syn: information].
Also: Numbers, characters, images or other method of recording, in a form that can be assessed by a human or (especially) input into a computer, stored and processed there, or transmitted on some digital channel. Data on its own have no meaning, only when interpreted by some kind of data processing system does it take on meaning and become information. For example, the number 123454657.99 is data but if it is output as your bank balance then that is information.
People or computers can find
patterns in data to
perceive information, and information can be used to enhance
knowledge. Since knowledge is prerequisite to
wisdom, we always want more data and information.
But, as modern societies verge on information overload, we especially
need better ways to find patterns. (The Free On-line Dictionary of
Computing, 1998)
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This page posted and maintained by Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Biology Department, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766. (570) 408-4758, kklemow@wilkes.edu.