Data refers to raw, unorganized facts or figures that are collected through observation or measurement. These facts or figures may be in the form of numbers, words, or symbols. For example, a list of temperatures, a set of test scores, or a record of customer purchases are all examples of data.
Information, on the other hand, is the processed, organized, and meaningful interpretation of data. It is the result of analyzing and synthesizing data to create knowledge, insight, or understanding. Information can be conveyed through various means, such as reports, summaries, charts, or graphs. For example, a summary of temperature trends over time, a report on student performance, or a graph of sales trends are all examples of information.
In simpler terms, data is like raw ingredients that need to be processed and organized in order to create something useful, like a recipe. Information is like the finished dish that has been prepared from the ingredients and is ready to be consumed and understood.
In summary, data is unprocessed, raw facts or figures, while information is processed, organized, and meaningful interpretation of those facts or figures.