Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed. Data can be something simple and seemingly random and useless until it is organized.
When data is processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make it useful, it is called information.
Example
Each student's test score is one piece of data.
The average score of a class or of the entire school is information that can be derived from the given data.
Etymology
"Data" comes from a singular Latin word, datum, which originally meant "something given." Its early usage dates back to the 1600s. Over time "data" has become the plural of datum.
"Information" is an older word that dates back to the 1300s and has Old French and Middle English origins. It has always referred to "the act of informing, " usually in regard to education, instruction, or other knowledge communication.
Access: Introduction to Objects
Structure of a Database
Database
A collection of related information for a business purpose
For example, A library database including data about Borrowers, Books, etc
File / Table
This is a collection of related information about a specific entity.
There must be one or more Files/Tables in a Database
For example, a list of Borrowers in a Library Database
Record / Row
This is one instance of information from a table/file. There are zero or more records in a File/Table
For example, a specific borrower like Johnny Vegas who lives in 26 Grange Road
Fields
This is one component part of a record.
There must be one or more fields in each record
For example, Name, Address, etc.
Character or Data Types
Each field can be defined by a particular data type
For example, Text, or Numbers, Boolean, OLE Data, Dates, Currency
