• data – the input to an information system
• data representation – the different types of media, namely:

• information – the output which has been processed by an information system for human understanding
• the generation of information from data via the information processes
• how information from one information system can be data for another information system

• distinguish between data and information in a given context
• categorise data as image, audio, video, text and/or numbers
• identify the data and the information into which it is transformed, for a given scenario
•  identify examples of information systems that use information from another information system as data

The Nature of Data and Information

• Earlier, we discussed data as the raw material for an information system; the data being the input to an information system. 
• In the last section, we examined the seven information processes that operate on the input data to transform it into information; 
• information being the output from an information system that is both meaningful and understandable. 
• This information coming out of one information system can then be used as the data going into a further information system.

The data, and information, used by an information system is of various types, each being suited to different tasks. 

In this section we consider the different types of media commonly used as data, and information, within information systems. For each media type, we examine the nature of the data and how the data is represented digitally.

Digital data is data that is coded using numbers, in the case of digital computers binary numbers are used. Binary is the base two number system; this means it uses just two digits, namely 0 and 1. These binary digits are known as bits. Ultimately all data and information is represented within computers as a series of bits.