What is the difference between Data, Information, and file?

Answer 1

A file contains data which is a record of information.

Answer 2

Data in everyday language is a synonym for information.

In the exact sciences there is a clear distinction between data and information, where data is a measurement that can be disorganized and when the data becomes organized it becomes information.

Data can be about reality, or fiction such as a fictional movie.

Data about reality consists of propositions. A large class of practically important propositions are measurements or observations of a variable.

A computer file is a block of arbitrary information, or resource for storing information, that is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage

Such propositions may comprise numbers, words, or images.

Answer 3

The best way to understand the three is to relate it to another form.

Data = words. Therefore, sentences = compilation of words in a specified grouping.

Information = meaning we can get from the sentences.

File = a written hardcopy of the words where they can be retrieved later.

Data is collected works, grouped into informative groupings which can yeild information if read properly. A file is a record of this data which can be called up and read at a later date.

Answer 4

Are ya taking an Microsoft Access class or are you just curious?

Heck, I like all the opinions you've received thus far, but here's my take:

According to the MS Access book, information is simply processed data, although I have my doubts that Microsoft realizes that definition is not universal since Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary uses data and information interchangeably.

A file is another name for a database table.

If your not talking MS Access, then a file is most anything on your computer that ends with a suffix. (e.g.- .doc, .txt, .bat) I suppose an argument could be made that a .exe file is an executable, but I don't feel like splitting hairs.

Answer 5

data is unordered information without context. it can be numbers, words, or just about anything.

information is the same as data in definition. Information has some form of context to it.....just like if I gave you "information" about a business or car for sale.

a file is a store of information or data,

So, a database contains many tables which are kept in a file, within the tables (plural) is information, within each table is data...