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Fact vs. Data: What's the Difference?

Fact and Data Definitions

Fact

Knowledge or information based on real occurrences
An account based on fact.
A blur of fact and fancy.

Data

Plural of datum

Fact

Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed
Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.

Data

Information, especially in a scientific or computational context, or with the implication that it is organized.
The raw information was processed and placed into a database so the data could be accessed more quickly.

Fact

A real occurrence; an event
Had to prove the facts of the case.
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Data

(collectively) Recorded observations that are usually presented in a structured format.

Fact

Something believed to be true or real
A document laced with mistaken facts.

Data

(computing) A representation of facts or ideas in a formalized manner capable of being communicated or manipulated by some process.

Fact

A thing that has been done, especially a crime
An accessory before the fact.

Data

Senseid|en|telephony}}(mobile telephony) {{ellipsis of mobile data: digital information transmitted using the cellular telephone network rather than Wi-Fi.
Run out of data
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Fact

(Law) A conclusion drawn by a judge or jury from the evidence in a case
A finding of fact.

Data

See Datum.

Fact

Something actual as opposed to invented.
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.

Data

A collection of facts, observations, or other information related to a particular question or problem; as, the historical data show that the budget deficit is only a small factor in determining interest rates.

Fact

Something which is real.
Gravity is a fact, not a theory.
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Data

Information, most commonly in the form of a series of binary digits, stored on a physical storage medium for manipulation by a computer program. It is contrasted with the program which is a series of instructions used by the central processing unit of a computer to manipulate the data. In some conputers data and execuatble programs are stored in separate locations.

Fact

Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.

Data

A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn;
Statistical data

Fact

An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.
There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.

Fact

Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
The facts about space travel.

Fact

(databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.

Fact

(archaic) Action; the realm of action.

Fact

A wrongful or criminal deed.
He had become an accessory after the fact.

Fact

(obsolete) A feat or meritorious deed.

Fact

Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.

Fact

A doing, making, or preparing.
A project for the fact and vendingOf a new kind of fucus, paint for ladies.

Fact

An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance.
What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am not able to conjecture.
He who most excels in fact of arms.

Fact

Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.

Fact

The assertion or statement of a thing done or existing; sometimes, even when false, improperly put, by a transfer of meaning, for the thing done, or supposed to be done; a thing supposed or asserted to be done; as, history abounds with false facts.
I do not grant the fact.
This reasoning is founded upon a fact which is not true.

Fact

A piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred;
First you must collect all the facts of the case

Fact

A statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened;
He supported his argument with an impressive array of facts

Fact

An event known to have happened or something known to have existed;
Your fears have no basis in fact
How much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell

Fact

A concept whose truth can be proved;
Scientific hypotheses are not facts

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