Data, Information, Knowledge, and Information Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts of data, information, knowledge, information systems, databases, and data processing evolution.

Data

Raw facts and figures represented by alphanumeric characters such as text, numbers, and symbols that have no meaning on their own until processed within a context.

Information

Data that has been processed within a context, or into a specific form, to give it meaning.

Knowledge

The understanding of rules needed to interpret information, expressed as knowledge = information + rules.

Rules

Principles that tell us the likely effect of something and provide the capability to understand the relationship between pieces of information and what action to take.

Knowledge Workers

Individuals with specialist knowledge who act as experts in their domain area based on formal and informal rules learned through training and experience.

Expert Systems and AI

Computer systems programmed with subject knowledge based on probabilities to mimic the role of human experts in fields like medicine, ChatGPT, and Copilot.

Information System

A collection of components that work together to provide information to help in the operations and management of an organization.

Hardware

Equipment, such as computers, that acts as the physical component of an information system.

Software

Instructions for hardware components that direct how equipment operates within an information system.

Stored Data

Facts stored inside an information system for operational and managerial use.

Personnel

The people who operate and interact with an information system.

Procedures

Set instructions and guidelines for people to follow when operating an information system.

Inventory Control System

An information system designed to keep track of store stock levels by recording item details, quantities, models, colors, and prices.

Database

A collection of related data and its metadata organized in a structured format for optimized information management.

Database Management System (DBMS)

Software that enables easy creation, access, and modification of databases for efficient and effective database management.

Database System

An integrated system of hardware, software, people, procedures, and data that define and regulate the collection, storage, management, and use of data within a database environment.

Database Applications

Software developments that form the underlying framework of information systems used for transactions like supermarket purchases, travel bookings, library usage, and credit card processing.

Manual File System

A traditional data-tracking method using tagged file folders in filing cabinets, which is easy to set up but difficult for locating, aggregating, or summarizing data.

File-based Computerized System

A set of computer applications that store data in separate files replicating manual file structures, where each program defines and manages its own data independently.