Data:

The term Data is defined as a raw and unstructured fact that needs to be processed to make it meaningful.
Data can be simple and unstructured at the same time until it is structured. Usually, data contains facts,
numbers, symbols, image, observations, perceptions, characters, etc.
Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner, which
should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic machine.
Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9), or special
characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.)
Information:

The term Information is defined as a set of data that is processed according to the given requirement in a
meaningful way. To make the information useful and meaningful, it must be processed, presented, and
structured in a given context. Information gives meaning and increases the accuracy of the data. It helps
to guarantee undesirability and reduces confusion. Thus, when the data is transformed into information,
there is no unwanted and useless detail contained in the information. Example of information: Merit List,
receipts, reports, report cards, etc.

Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver.
Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following characteristics
• Timely − Information should be available when required.
• Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
• Completeness − Information should be complete.

The Needs & Importance of Information:

In the present day society, there is a great and urgent need for access and availability of information. The
information need for the various purposes is enumerated below as:

• Information is an aid in decision making, policy making needed for the policy makers, decision
makers, managers etc.
• Information will have a reinforcing/trans-forming effect on human beings on receiving it. A great
deal for change can be perceived in the human minds/ attitudes on obtaining the information, as it
increases the ability of personal knowledge for the recipient.
• Information generates new information. This is the existing knowledge/ information that helps in
generating new information; new knowledge; new theories, etc.

In fact, scientists and scholars avail or use information to produce another document, like research reports,
thesis/ dissertations, books, journal articles, seminar paper etc.

1. The users of various professions and vocations like doctors, engineers, scientists, scholars etc.
acquire and apply information in order to do their job more effectively and efficiently. i.e.
application of information for practical purposes.
2. Information supports research in order to obtain effective and fruitful results.
3. Information helps in better management of manpower, materials, production, finance, marketing
etc.
4. State-of-art kind of information of a subject helps in identifying the gaps/ shortcomings in in the
subject field and to identify the research problems to be explored or undertaken.
5. Information helps in avoiding the duplication of research.
6. Information stimulates the thought process of the users, particularly the scholars.
7. Information helps the scientists, engineers, scholars, etc. to get well informed with the current
advancements in their subjects, and to keep them up-to-date.
What Is Data Processing?

Data in its raw form is not useful to any organization. Data processing is the method of collecting raw
data and translating it into usable information. It is usually performed in a step-by-step process by a team
of data scientists and data engineers in an organization. The raw data is collected, filtered, sorted,
processed, analyzed, stored, and then presented in a readable format.

Data processing is essential for organizations to create better business strategies and increase their
competitive edge. By converting the data into readable formats like graphs, charts, and documents,
employees throughout the organization can understand and use the data.

Data Processing Cycle

The data processing cycle consists of a series of steps where raw data (input) is fed into a system to
produce actionable insights (output). Each step is taken in a specific order, but the entire process is
repeated in a cyclic manner. The first data processing cycle's output can be stored and fed as the input for
the next cycle, as the illustration below shows us.

Fig: Data processing cycle

Generally, there are six main steps in the data processing cycle:

Step 1: Collection
The collection of raw data is the first step of the data processing cycle. The type of raw data collected has
a huge impact on the output produced. Hence, raw data should be gathered from defined and accurate
sources so that the subsequent findings are valid and usable. Raw data can include monetary figures,
website cookies, profit/loss statements of a company, user behavior, etc.

Step 2: Preparation
Data preparation or data cleaning is the process of sorting and filtering the raw data to remove unnecessary
and inaccurate data. Raw data is checked for errors, duplication, miscalculations or missing data, and
transformed into a suitable form for further analysis and processing. This is done to ensure that only the
highest quality data is fed into the processing unit. The purpose of this step to remove bad data (redundant,
incomplete, or incorrect data) so as to begin assembling high-quality information so that it can be used in
the best possible way for business intelligence.

Step 3: Input
In this step, the raw data is converted into machine readable form and fed into the processing unit. This
can be in the form of data entry through a keyboard, scanner or any other input source.
Step 4: Data Processing
In this step, the raw data is subjected to various data processing methods using machine learning and
artificial intelligence algorithms to generate a desirable output. This step may vary slightly from process
to process depending on the source of data being processed (data lakes, online databases, connected
devices, etc.) and the intended use of the output.

Step 5: Output
The data is finally transmitted and displayed to the user in a readable form like graphs, tables, vector files,
audio, video, documents, etc. This output can be stored and further processed in the next data processing
cycle.

Step 6: Storage
The last step of the data processing cycle is storage, where data and metadata are stored for further use.
This allows for quick access and retrieval of information whenever needed, and also allows it to be used
as input in the next data processing cycle directly.

Examples of Data Processing

Data processing occurs in our daily lives whether we may be aware of it or not. Here are some real-life
examples of data processing:

• A stock trading software that converts millions of stock data into a simple graph

• An e-commerce company uses the search history of customers to recommend similar products

• A digital marketing company uses demographic data of people to strategize location-specific

campaigns

• A self-driving car uses real-time data from sensors to detect if there are pedestrians and other
cars on the road