What is the data? Data types

Data - a variety of types of information, systematized by certain parameters through the form. What is the data? Conditionally this is all that can be calculated and generalized, represented in the form of a definite sequence or aggregate, formula or numerical expression. That is, all the information of a certain domain, which can be placed in a template or matrix.

Application

It is customary to select the main types of data based on their characteristics, the meaning (semantics) and the operations that can be performed with them. The most widely used are numerical data, monetary, symbolic, time and date.

Base: definition and history

Database (DB) is a set of all data organized for optimal interaction and getting to them quick access. Such a system allows the user to work with large volumes of information resources, spending a minimum of time and effort. Base - an object that constantly changes its state relative to the entered data. The most important advantage of the database is the fact that when working with information, we do not ask questions, what is data, and in what order should they be entered? All information resources entered into the computer are automatically distributed and systematized in the database. The emergence of it can be attributed to 1955, when they learned how to process data using a programmable file model and store them on punched cards.

Types of bases and their functions

The bases are centralized and distributed. A centralized database has a single structure organization, which can be accessed from any computer in full. Distributed database consists of separate segments, stored on different machines of the network. This information is combined with the help of a special management system.

Also, databases can be different at the storage location: they can be local or network. As the storage of information used external memory (hard disk), RAM or optical server drives.

Any data operations are carried out using control systems - special programs. They carry out the following actions:

• Creating a database;
• filling;
• storage;
• Security of access and data confidentiality;
• Moving data, their interaction with other programs;
• Adjustment;
• Search;
• The final formation of responses to requests.

Simplify the work of any control system can be presented as follows: creating a new database - inputting data and editing them - processing information in the database (what data, what data is present in the database, how they can be grouped) - output of information.

Structure of the data table

To store information in the database, a data table is used. This structure is needed to determine the address of the data in the database, it is generated by the intersection of rows and columns in the table. The structure of the database is specified by fields (columns), and the content - by records (lines).

What is the data? These are variables that can be substituted into certain fields. Fields are created for certain types of data: date and time, integers, currency, symbols. Each field has its own properties, on which the type of input data depends, the operations that can be performed with them, and the number of characters to be entered. The field can be given a name and signature, length and other values. Thanks to modern database technologies, the process of working with information has become extremely fast and convenient, and electronic devices that carry out this work have acquired a compact form and accessible to each control system.

We hope that the information given in this article will be useful to you.