Structured Data
Structured data refers to information organized in a predefined format, typically using schemas, tables, or models to ensure consistency and enable efficient processing. It is commonly stored in relational databases, spreadsheets, or structured file formats like JSON or XML, making it easily searchable, analyzable, and machine-readable. This contrasts with unstructured data, such as free text or multimedia, which lacks a fixed organization.
Developers should learn structured data concepts to design efficient databases, build scalable applications, and implement data integration systems, as it underpins most business operations and analytics. It is essential for use cases like e-commerce platforms managing product catalogs, financial systems processing transactions, and data warehouses supporting business intelligence, where data integrity and query performance are critical.