< 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)