A database is a collection of persistent data stored in a computer system.

Documents in themselves are not databases, but a database can be used to store thousands of documents.

A user does not need to know how the documents are stored. A user needs to be able to access the information that is required for a purpose. Software is available to assist in searching for information.

Documents stored in this way can be thought of as an Information System.

An information system is a computer system whose primary purpose is to suport the information requirements of its users.

Relational databases can be viewed as data stored as tables.

Information is any kind of knowledge that is exchangeable amongst people, about things, facts, concepts etc., in some context.

In order to exchange information efficiently there is a requirement that individuals operate to a common Domain of Discourse (what is being talked about and its context) using an agreed language (and I don't mean English or French for example).

The above relates to sentences between people. For the purpose of databases, the main way of exchanging information is via a form. We therefore need a form language (construction rules).

Data is a representation of information - or - information is interpreted data.

If data is viewed out of context or without context, the information may not be correctly understood. Data has to be understood for it to make any kind of sense.

The computer system cannot provide the context. This is a human perception. The semantics or meaning.

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Stuart Banner