Data and Information

What is Data?

Data - the input into an information system
Data representation - the different types of media
  • Images
  • Audio
  • Video /Animation
  • Text
  • Numbers
Transforming Data into Information

Information - the output which has been processed by the information system for human understanding

The information processes of organising, analysing, processing and displaying help to convert data into information using methods such as:
  • choosing data pertinent to the problem
  • deleting irrelevant data
  • combining data
  • displaying data in an understandable way
Information is generated from data via the Information Processes - to achieve the "Purpose" of the System

Information as Data
Information from one system may be data for another information system.

Example:

An eCommerce System will provide a Catalog and Shopping Basket

When a user goes to the checkout - relevant information about the Merchant, Customer Banking Details and Total Purchase Amount details are sent (as data) to the Payment System (e.g. Paypal or Bank) which processes the transfer of monies from Purchaser to Merchant.   An acknowledgement of payment or notification of failure is sent back to the eCommerce System to handle.

Information about the product and customer and merchant could sent to the Logistics Companies' Systems (e.g. UPS or DHL) to pickup and deliver the products purchased.

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