1 Introduction To Information System
TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION SYSTEM
1.0 THE BASIC CONCEPT OF DATA AND INFORMATION
In an organization, ‘Information’ is one of the most valuable and important resources. With the right information, from the right source, at the right time and place, the organization can make the best decision to achieve their goals. Information can be defined in so many ways. The term
‘information’ however is often confused with the term ‘data’. In some cases the term
‘information’ and ‘data’ has been used interchangeably.
As an analogy, consider data as pieces of LEGO bricks. In this state, each piece of brick has little value beyond its inherent value as a single object. However, if some relationship is defined among pieces of brick, they will gain value. By arranging the pieces of brick in a certain way, an object of toys begins to emerge. Information is much the same. Rules and relationship can be set up to organize data into useful, valuable information.
Figure 1: Example of business data and information
1.1 Data
Data is defined as a stream of raw facts that representing events occurring in an organizations or physical environment which is unorganized and meaningless to the human beings. Data represents real-world things and has little valued beyond existence. Data can also define as the representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means. Data inside an organization could be:
a. originated from internal operations (e.g. transaction receipt)
b. originated from external entities such as suppliers or customers (e.g. purchase order)
2
5, 63,42,11,90
MO, LA, MD, KS
A, X, R, X, T, E, S
Jan, Jul, May, Feb
!@#%$+ *
Figure 2: Examples of data
1.2 Information
Information is a collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the value of the facts themselves which is meaningful and useful to people.
Information is said to have
INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION SYSTEM
1.0 THE BASIC CONCEPT OF DATA AND INFORMATION
In an organization, ‘Information’ is one of the most valuable and important resources. With the right information, from the right source, at the right time and place, the organization can make the best decision to achieve their goals. Information can be defined in so many ways. The term
‘information’ however is often confused with the term ‘data’. In some cases the term
‘information’ and ‘data’ has been used interchangeably.
As an analogy, consider data as pieces of LEGO bricks. In this state, each piece of brick has little value beyond its inherent value as a single object. However, if some relationship is defined among pieces of brick, they will gain value. By arranging the pieces of brick in a certain way, an object of toys begins to emerge. Information is much the same. Rules and relationship can be set up to organize data into useful, valuable information.
Figure 1: Example of business data and information
1.1 Data
Data is defined as a stream of raw facts that representing events occurring in an organizations or physical environment which is unorganized and meaningless to the human beings. Data represents real-world things and has little valued beyond existence. Data can also define as the representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means. Data inside an organization could be:
a. originated from internal operations (e.g. transaction receipt)
b. originated from external entities such as suppliers or customers (e.g. purchase order)
2
5, 63,42,11,90
MO, LA, MD, KS
A, X, R, X, T, E, S
Jan, Jul, May, Feb
!@#%$+ *
Figure 2: Examples of data
1.2 Information
Information is a collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the value of the facts themselves which is meaningful and useful to people.
Information is said to have