What is the difference between data and information?

Data and information are terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:

Data

• Definition: Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts and figures without any added interpretation or analysis. It can be in the form of numbers, text, images, or other formats.
• Characteristics: Data is often unorganized and needs to be processed to become meaningful. It is the raw input that is collected from various sources.
• Example: A list of numbers like 23, 45, 67, or a set of words like "apple," "banana," "cherry."

Information

• Definition: Information is processed, organized, or structured data that is meaningful and useful for decision-making. It provides context and understanding.
• Characteristics: Information is data that has been interpreted and given meaning. It is the output of data processing.
• Example: A report showing the average sales of a product over a month, or a summary of survey results indicating customer satisfaction levels.

Key Difference

• Transformation: Data becomes information when it is processed and given context.
• Usefulness: Information is useful for making decisions, while data needs to be processed to become useful.

In summary, data is the raw input that, when processed and interpreted, becomes information.