How to identify Data and Information?

Data and Information

The numbers, words, images and symbols which do not bear a meaning, when standing alone are called data, while we can arrive at meaningful information by arranging and processing data, we can use them to make decisions also.

Submitting data for processing is called “Input” and the result we get after processing is called “Output.” We can call the collection of all these components above a “System.” Hence the purpose of a system is to receive data, process and store them and provide the results when required.

Example 1

It will be difficult to get an idea about the subjects and marks if names and marks are written separately on term test results.

Ravi 78, 90, 79, 67, 76, 98 Rizwan 87, 70, 80, 75, 80, 80 Krishan 76, 78, 67, 80, 79, 76

But these names and marks can be tabulated as follows:

This table shows some information about the marks of students. However, in order to arrive at some meaningful conclusion, this may not be sufficient:

Marks that were tabulated can be subjected to calculation.

You can see that the teacher is able to get the required information using this table (i.e. the total score of each student, their average scores, individual skill of each student, the rank etc). The information gathered in this manner is useful for the teacher to take important decisions.

Example 2

To identify this difference, let us consider the following Figures;

Observe these symbols below:

Take a look at the numbers in a National Identity Card. At once it looks as if it is just a number. But when you analyze it you can obtain some meaningful information.

Example 3