Definition
Data conversion is converting data from one format, structure, or system to another. It can include transforming a file to a different format, integrating data from multiple sources, automating data conversion between one database and another, and transforming data to support specific analysis or reporting requirements.
How Data Conversion Functions
- Data extraction: The data is identified and extracted from an application or source system. This can involve extracting data from a file or exporting data from a database.
- Data transformation: The extracted data is converted to the desired structure or format.
- Data loading: After transforming the data, it is loaded into target systems such as an application or database.
Data Conversion Examples
- Transforming data into a standardized form, including changing date and time data to a specific format, to maintain uniformity across systems.
- Transferring data between different database systems, such as migrating data from Microsoft SQL Server to MySQL.
- Changing a file from one format to another, such as converting an image from PNG to JPEG or converting a PDF file to a Microsoft Word document.
- Extracting data from web pages and organizing it into a structured form.