Terminology - Database Design for Mere Mortals - page 32

Figure 3.2 demonstrates how you might process and transform the data from the previous
example into meaningful information. It has been manipulated in such a way—in this case
as part of a patient invoice report—that it is now meaningful to anyone who views it.
Figure 3.2. An example of data transformed into information
It is very important that you understand the difference between data and information. You
design a database to provide meaningful information to someone within a business or or-
ganization. This information is available only if the appropriate data exists in the database
and the database is structured in such a way as to support that information. If you ever for-
get the difference between data and information, just remember this little axiom:
Data is what you store; information is what you retrieve.
Whenyoufullyunderstandthissingle,simpleconcept,thelogicbehindthedatabasedesign
process will become crystal clear.