What does Data and information mean in DBMS ? Difference between data and information

 

What does Data mean?

Data, in the context of databases, refers to all the single items that are stored in a database, either individually or as a set. Data in a database is primarily stored in database tables, which are organized into columns that dictate the data types stored therein. 

So, if the “Customers” table has a column titled “Telephone Number,” whose data type is defined as “Number,” then only numerals can be stored in that column.

Data, even in a database, is rarely useful in its raw form. For example, in a banking application, data is the whole collection of bank account numbers; bank customers’ names, addresses, and ages; bank transactions and so on. 

Being presented with this mass of numbers will simply overwhelm the average human -- an individual simply cannot process it all. However, when data is arranged relationally, it then becomes information, which is much more useful to users. 

For example, if the mass of numbers stored in the banking database above is used to extract the names and addresses of the top 100 clients by size of deposit, then the data has been used to provide useful information.

Difference between Information and Data

What is Information?

Information is a set of data which is processed in a meaningful way according to the given requirement. Information is processed, structured, or presented in a given context to make it meaningful and useful.

It is processed data which includes data that possess context, relevance, and purpose. It also involves manipulation of raw data.

Information assigns meaning and improves the reliability of the data. It helps to ensure undesirability and reduces uncertainty. So, when the data is transformed into information, it never has any useless details.

            Figure .  Information 

KEY DIFFERENCE

• Data is a raw and unorganized fact that is required to be processed to make it meaningful whereas Information is a set of data that is processed in a meaningful way according to the given requirement.                                                   
• Data does not have any specific purpose whereas Information carries a meaning that has been assigned by interpreting data.                                                            
• Data alone has no significance while Information is significant by itself.                 
• Data never depends on Information while Information is dependent on Data.          
• Data measured in bits and bytes, on the other hand, Information is measured in meaningful units like time, quantity, etc.                                                                   
• Data can be structured, tabular data, graph, data tree whereas Information is language, ideas, and thoughts based on the given data.

Data Vs. Information

Parameters	Data	Information
Description	Qualitative Or QuantitativeVariables which helps to develop ideas or conclusions.	It is a group of data which carries news and meaning.
Etymology	Data comes from a Latin word, datum, which means "To give something." Over a time "data" has become the plural of datum.	Information word has old French and middle English origins. It has referred to the "act of informing.". It is mostly used for education or other known communication.
Format	Data is in the form of numbers, letters, or a set of characters.	Ideas and inferences
Represented in	It can be structured, tabular data, graph, data tree, etc.	Language, ideas, andthoughts based on the given data.
Meaning	Data does not have any specific purpose.	It carries meaning that has been assigned by interpreting data.
Interrelation	Information that is collected	Information that is processed.
Feature	Data is a single unit and is raw. It alone doesn't have any meaning.	Information is the product and group of data which jointly carry a logical meaning.
Dependence	It never depends on Information	It depended on Data.
Measuring unit	Measured in bits and bytes.	Measured in meaningful units like time, quantity, etc.
Support for Decision making	It can't be used for decision making	It is widely used for decision making.
Contains	Unprocessed raw factors	Processed in a meaningful way
Knowledge level	It is low-level knowledge.	It is the second level of knowledge.
Characteristic	Data is the property of an organization and is not available for sale to the public.	Information is available for sale to the public.
Dependency	Data depends upon the sources for collecting data.	Information depends upon data.
Example	Ticket sales on a band on tour.	Sales report by region and venue. It gives information which venue is profitable for that business.
Significance	Data alone has no signifiance.	Information is significant by itself.
Meaning	Data is based on records and observations and, which are stored in computers or remembered by a person.	Information is considered more reliable than data. It helps the researcher to conduct a proper analysis.
Usefulness	The data collected by the researcher, may or may not be useful.	Information is useful and valuable as it is readily available to the researcher for use.
Dependency	Data is never designed to the specific need of the user.	Information is always specific to the requirements and expectations because all the irrelevant facts and figures are removed, during the transformation process.

DIKW (Data Information Knowledge Wisdom)

DIKW is the model used for discussion of data, information, knowledge, wisdom and their interrelationships. It represents structural or functional relationships between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom.