From Data to Meaningful Information

Your phone number is totally meaningless. Seriously, by itself, it's just a random

string of numbers. That's called data: raw, unorganized facts that have little

meaning on their own. But when you attach your name to that number,

it suddenly becomes useful. Now it’s information. Think of it like this: data is just

a bunch of random ingredients. Information is the actual meal you make with them.

This is the core of every information system, whether it's an old paper dictionary

or a complex school database tracking attendance. They all exist to turn useless data

into meaningful information.