Data Communication
What is Data ?
Data is information processd or stored by a computer.This information may
be in the form of text documents, images, audio clips, software programs or
other types of data.
What is Data Communication?
Data communication refers to the exchange of data between a source and
a receiver. Data communication is said to be local if communicating devices
are in the same building or a similarly restricted geographical area.
The meanings of source and receiver are very simple. The device that
transmits the data is known as source and the device that receives the
transmitted data is known as receiver. Data communication aims at the
transfer of data and maintenance of the data during the process but not the
actual generation of the information at the source and receiver.
Datum mean the facts information statistics or the like derived by
calculation or experimentation. The facts and information so gathered are
processed in accordance with defined systems of procedure. Data can exist
in a variety of forms such as numbers, text, bits and bytes. The Figure is an
illustration of a simple data communication system.
A data communication system may collect data from remote locations
through data transmission circuits, and then outputs processed results to
remote locations. Figure provides a broader view of data communication
networks. The different data communication techniques which are presently
in widespread use evolved gradually either to improve the data
communication techniques already existing or to replace the same with
better options and features. Then, there are data communication jargons to
contend with such as baud rate, modems, routers, LAN, WAN, TCP/IP, ISDN,
during the selection of communication systems. Hence, it becomes
necessary to review and understand these terms and gradual development
of data communication methods.
