1. Data, Information, Knowledge, and Processing
Joe Gordon

2. Data
Data is facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. Data on its own, carries no meaning. If data is interpreted it can become information.

3. Information
Information is the next level up from Data. It can be defined as: facts learned about something or someone; a message received and understood; knowledge acquired through a study, experience or instruction. Information is data that has been processed within a context to give it meaning.

4. Knowledge
Knowledge is facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; or possession of information about facts, ideas, skills, truths, and principles.

5. Processing
Processing means to perform an operation on something, in order to change or preserve it.