Re: Basic data definitions
From: Phil Barnes (PhilBarnes_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 09/22/04
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Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 14:27:03 -0700
Thank you Anith. Your definitions and explanations make sense. I goofed up
with asking about schematic data which is my mistake. Thanks again
Philip
"Anith Sen" wrote:
> >> I need some basic database definitions. Can anyone help me? Please, I do
> >> not want any ridicule.
>
> A good source for such definitions is the ISO standard vocabulary for
> Information Systems. Do a google search & you can get a draft in pdf
> version.
>
> There is nothing to be ridiculed here since very few specialize in data
> fundamentals. Most will even get embarrassed to ask something "so basic"
> while they are eager to talk about new "paradigms" & "x-generation"
> databases.
>
> >> What is data?
>
> Data simply means informational content; more specifically informational
> content represented in a formalized manner suitable for interpretation,
> communication or processing.
>
> >> What is information? How is it different from data?
>
> Information can be defined as, knowledge that, within a certain context, has
> a specific meaning to humans. The difference between data & information in
> simple terms is :
> Information can only be interpreted by humans.
> Data can be interpreted by either humans or machines.
>
> >> What is schema?
>
> In the context of databases, schema stands for the entire or some subset of
> a database structure.
>
> >> What is structured data?
>
> Actually, there is no need for such a term since it is terminologia
> redundante. In a nutshell, since data implies meaning or informational
> content, due to its organization, data is structured by definition.
>
> >> What is unstructured data?
>
> It is an oxymoron/contradiction but way hyped in the database industry.
> Since all data is structured, anything unstructured is disorganized,
> meaningless noise & outright useless. Quite simply there is no such thing as
> unstructured data.
>
> On a related note, in general, some people talk about binary data (images,
> sound etc.) as unstructured, but as you can see such data are already
> structured in some format which allows interpretation, communication or
> processing.
>
> >> What is schematic data?
>
> I do not know what it means. Where did you find this term & on which
> context?
>
> >> What is semi-structured data?
>
> Again, another term mostly meaningless but well-hyped. As you can see it
> only adds to the confusion since data is structured.
>
> However in general people talk about unstructured & semi structured data in
> different perspectives. Such discourse regarding data is based on whether
> its structure within a certain context is exposed to the user or not. For
> instance if no meaningful structure of the data is exposed to the user in a
> certain context, they call them unstructured & if only some part of its
> meaningful structure is exposed to the user in certain context they call it
> semi-structured.
>
> --
> Anith
>
>
>
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