Data and Information Some Definitions etc… MR Lecture 1

A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn; "statistical data" Facts represented in a readable language (such as numbers, characters, images, or other methods of recording) on a durable medium. Data on its own carries no meaning. Empirical data are facts originating in or based on observations or experiences. A database is a store of data concerning a particular domain. Data in a database may be less structured or have weaker semantics (built-in meaning) than knowledge in a knowledge base. Compare data with information and knowledge. Data can be defined in many ways. Information science defines data as unprocessed information. Data is converted into information, and information is converted into knowledge. A term that describes the BITS, BYTES, etc, that a computer stores and manipulates. Data processed in a useful way becomes information. Some Definitions

Factual information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation. nces.ed.gov/NCESkids/Glossary.asp nces.ed.gov/NCESkids/Glossary.asp "A formalized representation of facts or concepts suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by people or automated means." The term "data" is often used to refer to the information stored in the computer. (Computer application) Alpha and numeric characters which are processed by a computer. A re-interpretable representation of information in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing. Operations can be performed upon data by humans or by automatic means. Any representations such as characters or analog quantities to which meaning is or might be assigned. A representation of facts or instructions in a form suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or automatic means. Data includes constants, variables, arrays, and character strings. A formal representation of raw material from which information is constructed via processing or interpretation. www01.sbc.com/DSL_new/content/0,,45,00.html Continued >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

In the context of remote sensing, a computer file containing numbers which represent a remotely sensed image, and can be processed to display that image. 2. a collection of numbers, strings, or facts that require some processing before they are meaningful. support.erdas.com/Glossary.htm Refers to information in numerical form that can be digitally transmitted or processed. Information stored on the computer system, used by applications to accomplish tasks. Factual information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation; a collection of numerical facts. A gathering of facts, concepts or instructions in a formalized manner, made suitable for communication, interpretation or processing. Data is an un-processed collection or representation of raw facts, concepts, or instructions in a manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means healthnet.hnet.bc.ca/tools/glossary/ Continued >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Text/Characters(strings) (a,b,c, A,B,C, *,& ^) Numbers (1,2,3,4…….128, 255) Alphanumeric (AB255L1, LxYg1234S) Numerical Data 1,2,3,4,5, 20, 30, scale (8-bit (256) data – e.g. remote sensing)

Data Meaning??

Meaning Information Context (e.g. spatial co-ordinate) X Y visualise

Classify Table of NumbersEach number assigned a colour (code) MapRaw Data

Top Left Hand Corner of a Remotely Sensed Image Data Meaning?

Visualize Data as an Image (False Colour Image) Meaning? Colours Legend Red = Vegetation Dark Blue/Black = Deep Water Light Blue = Shallow Water/ Soil/Bare Ground

100 = sand, 120 = water, 256 = vegetation Data Information YellowBlueGreen A Geographical Information System (GIS) Theme or Layer Classification

Data into Information Pathway DATA INFORMATION COLLECTION INPUT STORAGE PROCESSING ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION VISUALISATION Numbers Image/Map Coastal and Marine Environments

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