How We Get a Hold of Data

By absorbing a good deal of what you've read so far, you're starting to get a firmer grasp of what data is and how it is used!

By now, you know a fair bit about where and how you can find data. You understand that sensors can be used to collect data from the physical world, and that digital trails can be collected using pixels, tags, and digital analytics programs.

You've also learned that API is not just a cryptic abbreviation, but a common tool for data collection. And crucially, it's essential for the functioning of Google Maps, online weather services, and most of the apps on your phone.

You know the difference between structured and unstructured data, and even that there's something in between these categories, namely semi-structured data.

Hopefully, when faced with different data sources, you can distinguish between internal data, external data, open data, and private data—and from there point out whether permissions and accesses are required to use the data.

Speaking of permissions: You no longer need to whistle and look the other way when someone starts a heated conversation about GDPR and personal data. You know what's up, what's down, what's acceptable and what's totally illegal when it comes to data processing.

Not bad, indeed!