Data definition

Facts that can be analyzed or used in an effort to gain knowledge or make decisions; information.

Information in a form suitable for storing and processing by a computer.

Facts or figures to be processed; evidence, records, statistics, etc. from which conclusions can be inferred; information.

Statistics or other information represented in a form suitable for processing by computer.

(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.

Data is defined as facts or figures, or information that's stored in or used by a computer.

From the Latin datum, meaning what is given. What is known or assumed, and upon which conclusions can be drawn. Factual information in a form that can be input to, created by, processed by, stored in, and output by a computer. Data can take the form of characters such as letters, numbers, punctuation marks, mathematical operators, and control characters. Data also can take the form of photographic display elements, such as pixels. Note: Data is the plural form of the Latin datum, although data is used conversationally to represent both singular and plural.