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Informatics

2022

We explain what data is, the databases and the types of data that exist. In addition, its use in statistics and computer science.

The data must be interpreted in a specific context.

What is a data?

A datum is the representation of a variable It can be quantitative or qualitative that indicates a value that is assigned to things and is represented through a sequence of symbols, numbers or letters.

The data describe empirical facts. To examine them, they must be organized or tabulated, since a piece of data by itself cannot demonstrate too much, but rather the whole must be evaluated to examine the results.

Database

The databases They consist of a set of data classified according to criteria and stored on a medium (digital or not) in order to be consulted and accessed simply and quickly. Data can be generated automatically and cumulatively with Software or entered manually.

The data that is entered in a database can be of different types depending on the information that accumulates in said base. For example: an employee database includes the personal information (name, telephone number, address) of all the members of an employee business or organization.

Data in computing

Informatics data It is the general expression that describes those characteristics of the entity on which it operates.

The programs and applications have data processing as a function, since each programming language it has a set of data from which it works. All the information that enters and leaves a computer does so in the form of data.

Within thefiles there are data that are smaller packages of other data called records (gathered by the same or similar characteristics).

Type of data

In programming it is essential to determine the type or category of the data with which you are working. Each data set of a specific type is manipulated differently to obtain the desired results.

Numeric

  • Whole. Data type formed by a numeric variable that does not have a decimal part.
  • Real. Data type formed by a numeric variable that can have a decimal part.

Text

  • Character. Data type consisting of a unit or symbol that can be a letter, a number, a capital letter, or a punctuation mark.
  • Chain. Data type formed by a set of characters arranged consecutively that is represented in quotation marks.

Logical

  • Boolean. Data type that can represent two values: true or false.

Statistical data

Statistics is the branch of the math that analyzes data obtained from different representative samples to know a phenomenon. There are two types of data that are analyzed in statistics, which must be processed and framed within a context to generate information;

  • Qualitative data. Data that answer the question which? or which is it? and are represented by letters. For example: name, gender.
  • Quantitative data. Data that are referred to the numbers. For example: price, height, age.

Difference between data and information

The concept of data is closely linked to that of information, but there is a fundamental difference between the two terms. While the data refers to recorded events or facts, the information consists of those raw data that are processed in such a way that they generate content that can be known and interpreted by the users. users.

The data does not make sense by itself, but when processed and contextualized, it becomes accurate and available information to know a phenomenon, take decisions or execute actions.

Data examples

Qualitative data examples

Name: Jasmine Suarez
Occupation: Teacher
Address: Avenida Conquistadores
Female gender

Examples of quantitative data

Age: 59
Height: 1.56
Number of children: 4
Years in office: 8

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