what is the difference besides data logging and data acquisition?

Answer 1

Pretty much just what the names imply. Data acquisition consists of using sensors to convert various types of data into electrical signals and then presenting those signals (usually in digital form) at the output(s) of the data acquisition system.

Data logging includes data acquisition plus it adds data storage sothat the data acquired may be 'read out' and analyzed at a later time.

Also.... Data logging sort of 'implies' a stand-alone system from which data is 'retrieved' at intervals. The retrieval might consist of a person physically removing a medium (such as a tape or a floppy disk) or (as is more common these days) the data is 'dumped' on command over a communication link.

HTH ☺

Doug

Answer 2

Data acquisition could refer to just getting one measurement. Data logging involves taking spaced measurements over some period of time, like taking the temperature of a room over the space of a day. Data logging involves data acquisition, it differs in the deliberate accumulation of the data.