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Internet of everything
Internet of everything

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2.2.1 What is data?

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Figure 7 The four pillars: data

Data is a value assigned to anything that is around us. Data is everywhere. However, by itself, data can be rather meaningless. As we interpret the data, for example, by correlating or comparing, it becomes more useful. This useful data is now information. As this information is applied or understood it then becomes knowledge.

In electronic communication, data is represented as 1s and 0s. These discrete elements are known as bits (or binary digits). All electronic data is stored in this digital binary format. Whereas humans interpret words and pictures, computers interpret bit patterns.

A number of website provide free tools so you can see how letters are translated into binary code [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . You can try this out.

The advantage of using digital coding is that it can be stored more efficiently and can be transmitted over long distances without the quality becoming degraded.