I say Data, You say D-ah-ta

Blogger: Lyn Robison

Data is used both as a plural noun and as a singular mass noun. Data consists of raw observations. Data is (or data are) pieces of information without context.

In IT, do we deal with data or do we deal with information?

Consider the fact that information is data in context. Information has meaning, where data might not.

Businesspeople tend to have greater understanding of the contextual meaning of data than IT people do. So it seems like businesspeople deal more with information, and IT people deal more with data.

Based on this line of thinking, in my communications on this topic, I plan to use the word information from a business perspective and the word data from an IT perspective. That approach would seem to form a clear line of demarcation between to the two terms.

So, when you see me talk about information, think business. When you see me talk about data, think IT.