Data

• It is raw facts, which we give to computer, computer manipulate and process it to convert into useful information.

• Collection of facts and figures is called data. Collection of facts and figures is called data. • It can consist of letters, numbers sounds or

images. Computer converts all type of data into (binary) numbers form for processing.

Types of Data

We can divide it in many types but following are most common.

String dataNumeric DataPicture dataSound data

String data

• This data can include alphabets, numbers and special characters. So cannot be used in calculation.

• If it contains only alphabets then it is called alphabetic data. Example is name of person or thing like ”ALI”, “CHAIR” etc.

• If it contains alphabets, numbers and special characters it is called alphanumeric. Example is Car number, address like “CD-70”, “B-122 Latifabad”.

Numeric Data

• If data is in number form it is called numeric data. • It can be used in calculations. • It contains digits from 0 to 9, mathematic signs

and symbols. • In computers it can be further divided in to

Integer, which has no point value. For example 5,66, -67,0 and floating point or real which have decimal point values. For example 4.56, -77.5444

Picture or video data

This data include pictures, maps, figures, graphs, diagrams, movie etc.

Usually scanner is used to get this data but some designing software help to enter this data by other devices like mouse or keyboard. Digital camera or web cam also used for this data input.

Sound data

This data include sound, which can be entered through microphones or through other audio devices.

Example is songs or speech.