data
<data, data processing, jargon> /day't*/ (Or "raw data") Numbers,
characters, images, or other method of recording, in a form which can be
assessed by a human or (especially) input into a computer, stored and processed
there, or transmitted on some digital channel. Computers nearly always represent
data in binary.
Data on its own has no meaning, only when interpreted by some kind of data
processing system does it take on meaning and become 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.
1234567.89 is data.
"Your bank balance has jumped 8087% to $1234567.89" is information.
"Nobody owes me that much money" is knowledge.
"I'd better talk to the bank before I spend it, because of what has happened to
other people" is wisdom.
(1999-04-30)
Nearby terms:
DASE « DASL « DAT « data » data abstraction » data
acquisition » Data Address Generator
