What is Data in Computing Science?

The definition of data in general is different from the terms that are often used in computers. Some people struggle with digital data in their work, but many still don’t understand the intricacies of it.

Everyone must be familiar with the term data, especially when operating a computer. Operating data on computers has become a common thing to do when working, both online and offline.

Many think that data processing is so complicated that only people with IT skills can understand it. More and more, we use this information technology more and more, so it’s not wrong to start getting to know how to process it. Sooner or later, the work process is also controlled by technology, so it is better to get to know the inside of this computer.

What is Data?

In computer science, data is a collection of information that has been converted to make it operable by a computer. Usually, the information is converted in binary code before it becomes data that is ready to be processed. The computer world is also familiar with the term raw data, meaning data in the most basic digital format.

The concept of data in the computer world was first proposed by Claude Shannon, the father of the American IT world. Data is always related to binary, and the concept of digital binary is based on the application of Boolean logic. This binary format underlies the creation of CPUs and other computer devices.

Since the beginning, the term data has been known as data processing or electronic data processing. The development of data in the computer world is growing rapidly over time, until it is finally known as information technology (IT). In essence, data processing is a basic term or field that must be mastered in the IT world.

Read Also: 5 Roles of Information Technology in Business in the Digital Era

How does the Data Storage Process Work?

Today, the term data is not only used on computers, but also includes websites and smartphones. These various platforms do require information in the form of data in their operation, it can be in the form of text, audio, or video. There is also hidden data, such as recorded activity on websites which are also known as cookies.

Regardless of the device and format, the data storage process remains the same. Basically, computers store information in the form of data in binary code consisting of two characters, namely 1 and 0.

The stored data also has its own unit of measure. The smallest unit of data size is the bit, marked in one binary value. Byte is the larger unit above it, equivalent to 8 bits. This means that 1 byte of data contains 8 binary numbers.

This byte unit underlies the data size that is often known, such as kilobytes (kB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB). There is also a terabyte (TB) size that is often found in hard drives. In conclusion, the larger the data size, the more binary code sequences are used.

Read Also: What is Big Data?

The data unit does not stop there, in fact it is growing from time to time. The newest unit is the brontobyte, which is the equivalent of 1,024 yottabytes of data storage. Each data unit is worth 1.024 times of the data unit below it.

The series of data units of measure when sorted from the smallest are bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes, exabytes, zettabytes, yottabytes, and brontobytes.

So, what is data and its importance in computing science? Data is a group of information converted into binary language to make it easier to access. For companies, managing so many data is not easy at all. To address that issue, AdIns is present with Advance Reporting System (ARS) service that can help companies’ data management. Monitoring companies’ performance is now easier with our software, and you don’t have to exhaust yourself when making your reports. Contact our team immediately to apply for the demo of this software!