Question

    Which of the following is a key difference between structured and unstructured data?

    A Structured data can only be stored in CSV format. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Unstructured data is easy to analyze using traditional databases. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Structured data is organized in a predefined format, while unstructured data lacks a specific organization. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Unstructured data is only text-based, while structured data can be images or videos. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E Structured data requires extensive preprocessing, while unstructured data does not. Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The key difference between structured and unstructured data lies in how the data is organized. Structured data is highly organized, typically stored in relational databases, and is formatted in rows and columns (e.g., in SQL databases, spreadsheets, or CSV files). This organization makes structured data easy to analyze and query. In contrast, unstructured data lacks a predefined format and can include text, images, videos, audio files, social media posts, and more. Unstructured data requires advanced processing techniques (such as natural language processing or image recognition) to extract meaningful insights, making it more challenging to work with than structured data. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: • A: Structured data can be stored in various formats, not just CSV, including SQL databases, Excel files, and more. • B: Unstructured data is harder to analyze using traditional databases because it lacks a specific structure, making it unsuitable for conventional relational database management systems (RDBMS). • D: Unstructured data can include text, images, videos, and other media, but structured data can also involve text-based information. • E: Structured data generally requires less preprocessing because of its organized nature, while unstructured data often needs extensive processing to extract usable insights.

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