Structured Data:
Structured data is the data which conforms to a data model, has a well define structure, follows a consistent order and can be easily accessed and used by a person or a computer program.
Structured data is usually stored in well-defined schemas such as Databases. It is generally tabular with column and rows that clearly define its attributes.
SQL (Structured Query language) is often used to manage structured data stored in databases.
Characteristics of Structured Data:
Data conforms to a data model and has easily identifiable structureData is stored in the form of rows and columns
Example : DatabaseData is well organised so, Definition, Format and Meaning of data is explicitly knownData resides in fixed fields within a record or fileSimilar entities are grouped together to form relations or classesEntities in the same group have same attributesEasy to access and query, So data can be easily used by other programsData elements are addressable, so efficient to analyse and process.
Sources of Structured Data:
SQL Databases
Spreadsheets such as Excel
OLTP Systems
Online forms
Sensors such as GPS or RFID tags
Network and Web server logs
Medical devices
Advantages of Structured Data:
Structured data have a well defined structure that helps in easy storage and access of dataData can be indexed based on text string as well as attributes. This makes search operation hassle-freeData mining is easy i.e knowledge can be easily extracted from dataOperations such as Updating and deleting is easy due to well structured form of dataBusiness Intelligence operations such as Data warehousing can be easily undertakenEasily scalable in case there is an increment of dataEnsuring security to data is easy.
Structured data accounts for only about 20% of data but because of its high degree of organisation and performance make it foundation of Big data.
