- Data
- Data Da"ta, n. pl. [L. pl. of datum.]
1. See {Datum}.
[1913 Webster]
2. a collection of facts, observations, or other information related to a particular question or problem; as, the historical data show that the budget deficit is only a small factor in determining interest rates.
Note: The term in this sense is used especially in reference to experimental observations collected in the course of a controlled scientific investigation. [PJC]
3. (Computers) information, most commonly in the form of a series of binary digits, stored on a physical storage medium for manipulation by a computer program. It is contrasted with the {program} which is a series of instructions used by the central processing unit of a computer to manipulate the data. In some conputers data and execuatble programs are stored in separate locations. [PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
