Types of Data
To deal with data effectively, we need to understand the various forms in which it exists. Let's first understand the types of data that exist. There are two main ways to categorize data, by structure and by content, as explained in the upcoming sections.
Categorizing Data Based on Structure
On the basis of structure, data can be divided into three categories, namely structured, semi-structured, and unstructured, as shown in the following diagram:
Figure 2.1: Categorization based on content
These three categories are explained in detail here:
- Structured Data: This is the most organized form of data. It is represented in tabular formats such as Excel files and Comma-Separated Value (CSV) files. The following figure shows what structured data usually looks like:
Figure 2.2: Structured data
- Semi-Structured Data: This type of data is not presented in a tabular structure, but it can be represented...