What does data refer to in computing terms?

In computing terms, data refers to information that is stored and processed by a computer. This can encompass a wide range of formats, including text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Data can be raw information or processed information that has been organized in a meaningful way for the system to utilize. It serves as the essential element that programs manipulate and generate output from.

Data is distinct from programs (which are the software applications that perform operations using that data) and hardware (the physical devices that make up the computer system). Additionally, instructions provided to the operating system are not classified as data but rather as commands that dictate how the computer should operate and manage its resources. This distinction highlights the fundamental role data plays in computing, as it is the input and output of processes that allow systems to function.