MVvsDataF

Memory variable

>>The memory of a computer is organized into a regular pattern of containers for information. These containers for information are called "words". Each one has a numeric address and each one is the same size as each of the others. For most applications, it is inconvenient to refer to portions of memory by their numeric addresses, so programming languages allow us to allocate portions of memory by name. When we store information in the memory of a computer we need to decide on how much we need for various purposes and on how it will be organized. Programming languages provide mechanism for "types" of information in memory. They also provide mechanisms to identify repetitive arrays of items of the same type and to aggregate possibly heterogeneous types under a common name.

Conceptually the memory in a computer is very much like building lots laid out by lot number on a map of the streets of a city before any houses have been built.

In working with the memory of a computer, we assemble the words that we need to hold the information we are working with into aggregates of the appropriate "type". Sometimes we need several words, sometimes just a couple, and sometimes just one.

Data field

>>A data field is the smallest subdivision of the stored data that can be accessed. A data field can be used to store numerical information such as price, count or a date or time, or even a data and time. A pair of data fields can be used in combination to hold a geo-spatial coordinate. Also, a data field can be used to hold a block of text. A data field takes up permanent storage within the data-store.
The data-store is composed of a number of data records which are, in turn, composed of a number of predefined data fields. Each of these data fields must be defined within the Load Definition File with a unique name.
Data Types
A data field can be any one of four types:

Type Description

Signed numeric data

Includes numeric values, bit masks, times and dates. May be filtered, sorted, displayed and used within formulas of all types.

String data

Consists of text blocks not exceeding 255 characters. May be sorted and displayed by Flexible Search.

Text data

Consists of text blocks of unlimited size. May only be displayed by Flexible Search, not sorted.

Attribute data

An array of boolean flags that can be turned on or off to set and check specific criteria. An attribute type can hold up to 1024 different attribute flags, each of which can be set to either true or false. However, space should only be set aside for the number of attributes required.
Temporary Fields
In addition, a numeric, string or text data field can be marked as temporary. Temporary fields are used for calculating values or indexing data. A temporary field is like a data field, but it does not take up any permanent storage within the data-store. It is used as a scratch location for holding temprorary data while it is being indexed or used within an expression to generate permanent data for a data field.

TERM CONTRAST

A. WHAT IS DATA?
-> data is anything in a form suitable for use with a computer. They are fed and to be processed by the computer.

B. WHAT IS INFORMATION?
-> information is the processed and organized data.

C. WHAT IS DATA STORAGE?
-> data storage is the way of storing data to computer storage devices.

D. WHAT IS COMPUTER STORAGE?
-> computer storage refers to computer components, devices, and recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time. Computer data storage provides one of the core functions of the modern computer, that of information retention.

E. WHAT IS OPERATING SYSTEM?
-> operating system is an interface between hardware and user; it is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer. The operating system acts as a host for computing applications that are run on the machine. As a host, one of the purposes of an operating system is to handle the details of the operation of the hardware.

F. WHAT IS COMPUTER SYSTEM?
-> computer system is a complete, working computer. The computer system includes not only the computer, but also any software and peripheral devices that are necessary to make the computer function. Every computer system, for example, requires an operating system.