Document vs. Record

Main Difference

The main difference between Document and Record is that a Document is made after planning something that how it should be done, whereas the Record is created when something is done before any planning.

Document vs. Record — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Document and Record

Document vs. Record

A document is planning about how something can be and should be done. On the other hand, a record is evidence of something done.

Document vs. Record

A document is never complete, and there is always a space of making changes and adding something new, whereas a record is always complete in itself as it is made after something is done.

Document vs. Record

The document is easily be altered; on the contrary, the record cannot be altered or edited.

Document vs. Record

The document is less durable than the record.

Document vs. Record

The document gives a general status of something without any specification of time. On the flip side, the record gives specific information about something within a specific period.

Document vs. Record

The document is less accurate, whereas the record is more precise.

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Document vs. Record

The document is mostly unstructured but sometimes structured; conversely, the record is highly formal and organized.

Document vs. Record

A document can easily be modified and recreated. On the opposite side, a record cannot be recreated.

Document vs. Record

The document is made to plan actions; on the other hand, the record is made to keep evidence of actions.

Document vs. Record

The document includes books, textbooks, and novels; on the flip side, the record includes maps, official files, identity cards, and property files.

Documentnoun

An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.

Recordnoun

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events;

the film provided a valuable record of stage techniques
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Documentnoun

Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.

Recordnoun

the number of wins versus losses and ties a team has had;

at 9-0 they have the best record in their league

Documentnoun

(computing) A file that contains text.

Recordnoun

an extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport);

he tied the Olympic recordcoffee production last year broke all previous recordsChicago set the homicide record

Documentnoun

(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.

Recordnoun

sound recording consisting of a disc with continuous grooves; formerly used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracked in the grooves

Documentnoun

(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.

Recordnoun

the sum of recognized accomplishments;

the lawyer has a good recordthe track record shows that he will be a good president

Documentverb

To record in documents.

He documented each step of the process as he did it, which was good when the investigation occurred.

Recordnoun

a list of crimes for which an accused person has been previously convicted;

he ruled that the criminal record of the defendant could not be disclosed to the courtthe prostitute had a record a mile long

Documentverb

To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.

A ship should be documented according to the directions of law.

Recordnoun

a compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone;

Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'his name is in all the recordbooks

Documentnoun

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

Recordnoun

a document that can serve as legal evidence of a transaction;

they could find no record of the purchase

Documentnoun

anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks

Recordverb

make a record of; set down in permanent form

Documentnoun

a written account of ownership or obligation

Recordverb

register electronically;

They recorded her singing

Documentnoun

(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters

Recordverb

indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments;

The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zeroThe gauge read `empty'

Documentverb

record in detail;

The parents documented every step of their child's development

Recordverb

be aware of;

Did you register any change when I pressed the button?

Documentverb

support or supply with references;

Can you document your claims?

Recordverb

be or provide a memorial to a person or an event;

This sculpture commemorates the victims of the concentration campsWe memorialized the Dead

Comparison Chart

DocumentRecord
A document is planning about how something can be and should be doneA record is evidence of something done
Completion
A document is never complete, and there is always a space of making changes and adding something newA record is complete in itself as it is made after something is done
Alteration
Documents can easily be alteredA record cannot be altered
Durability
Less durable than recordsMore durable than records
Time Duration
It gives a general status of something without any specification of timeIt gives specific information about something within a specific period
Accuracy
They are less accurateThey are highly accurate
Precision
They are less preciseThey are more precise
Organization
They are mostly unstructured but sometimes structuredThey are highly formal and organized
Recreation
It can easily be modified and recreatedIt cannot be recreated
Purpose
To plan actionsTo keep evidence of actions
Types
Textbooks, novels, books, websites, etcReceipts, maps, accounting papers, payment bills, identity cards, etc

Document vs. Record

The document is a planning of how something should be done, whereas a record is an evidence that something has already been done. The document also called a process, but a record is called a result or outcome. A document can be incomplete or complete; on the contrary, a record is always complete. A document made before acting; on the other hand, a record made as evidence of action.

A document can easily be changed and edited; on the flip side, a record is permanent and cannot be changed. A document is not always a record, but a record is always a document. A document is regarded as a support to record, whereas a record is not. A document cannot store for a long time, but most records are kept for a longer time as they are evidence of actions.

Documents are generally less organized as compared to records; on the other hand, records are highly structured and have a proper form. Documents are generally in written or typewritten form. Records, on the other side, maybe in the form of tables, graphs, and images. Documents include textbooks, books, novels, and recipe books; on the contrary, records include maps, accounting papers, official files, identity cards, driving license, and property files.

What is a Document?

The document is a representation of a thought which written, drawn, or represented. In the past, the word ‘document’ used to refer to something as written proof or evidence of actions. In the modern age, most documents are in typed form, so they include text colors, font sizes, images, tables, and graphics used in them. Based on advancements in technology, typewritten documents are much better than handwritten documents as they can easily amend. Editing and deleting is a much easier process in typewritten documents.

A document is not only something written pictures, videos rather, and sounds can also categorize as documents. Documents may be articles, newspapers, historical journals and sale invoices. The document is one of the types of information. It may be manual or electronic. It may be shorter or consist of many files i.e., part of something bigger. The worth of documents varies according to their usage, so their validity cannot challenge.

Documents can be of any kind. They may be instruction manuals that come with various things about how they should be done. They may be some question answer papers. Documents can also be some information manual. Some documents also show copyright claims. They show someone’s ownership of a product, writing, pictures, etc.

Documents are categorized as empirical, factual, historical, and web-based. Practical documents include newspapers, articles, journals, and magazines. Historical documents include religious books, essays, and texts which are of high prestige. Factual documents include books, textbooks, novels, guide books, and recipe books. Web-based documents are the documents available on the internet. They are present on different websites.

What is a Record?

Record defined as the evidence of history. It is made after an action done as proof that this has been done and cannot be changed. They are highly durable and very precise. Records may be handwritten or typewritten, or digital, but whatever kind they maybe they are the most important files.

The benefit of having records is that data can be obtained and accessed easily, and relevant material can be collected. Whatever is unnecessary can be deleted. Records store data in a very accurate and systematic way. Legal papers, accounting papers, maps, and political papers are the most important form of records.

Records are the most important forms of information. They may be legal, historical, research, and electronic records. Legal records include the records of property, bank transactions, official files, identity cards, etc. Historical records information about past actions. They may date from thousand years to a day before. Historical records give evidence of actions committed in the past; they are used to trace the history of criminal actions. Records are very helpful in giving citizens their due rights. A CCTV camera recording is the most accurate and trustworthy form of records these days.

Records are also research records. All the researches conducted by different researchers are saved for future study. Electronic records are the records created on electronic devices. Nowadays, most records are electronic records. The trend of handwritten records has long been forgotten.

Conclusion

Document and Record both are a source of information. The document is the prior planning of action, and Record is formed after an action has been done.