Home > Storage FAQs > Unstructured Data FAQ > Frequently asked questions > Unstructured data basics > What is unstructured data and how is it different from structured data in the enterprise?
FAQs: Unstructured Data FAQ:
EMAIL THIS LICENSING & REPRINTS
 START   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS   RELATED INFORMATION   
Frequently asked questions


Unstructured data basics
<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>: What are some of the biggest challenges with...

What is unstructured data and how is it different from structured data in the enterprise?

27 Mar 2007 | Pierre Dorion

Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   

What we're really doing is designating our data as structured or unstructured. Let's start with structured data, which is really data that is organized in a structure so that it is identifiable. The most universal form of structured data is a database like SQL or Access. For example, SQL (Structured Query Language) allows you to select specific pieces of information based on columns and rows in a field. You might look for all the rows containing a particular date or ZIP code or name -- this is structured data, and it is organized and searchable by data type within the actual content.

Related information
How to manage unstructured data  

The problem with unstructured information  

Email archiving implementation
By comparison, unstructured data has no identifiable structure. Unstructured data typically includes bitmap images/objects, text and other data types that are not part of a database. Most enterprise data today can actually be considered unstructured. An email is considered unstructured data. Even though the email messages themselves are organized in a database, such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes, the body of the message is really freeform text without any structure at all -- the data is considered raw. Documents are another example of unstructured data. Although a Word document has some formatting attached to it, the content of the document is completely free form.

The nature of some data types, such as spreadsheets, is still a matter of debate. The spreadsheet itself has some structure, but the data you put into each cell of a spreadsheet, like Excel, is not regulated by the application.

Listen to the Unstructured data FAQ audiocast.

Go to the beginning of the Unstructured Data FAQ Guide.



Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>: What are some of the biggest challenges with...
VIEW ALL IN THIS CATEGORY

RELATED CONTENT
Unstructured data basics
Where are some of the biggest sources of unstructured data in the enterprise?
What are some of the best practices for managing the growth of unstructured data?
What are some of the biggest challenges with unstructured data?

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary


TechTarget Storage Media
Storage Magazine View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Storage Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchStorage.com
HomeNewsMagazineTopicsLearningWebcastsWhite PapersBlogsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts