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Glite Dictionary
data format

data format

1 3.7
A way of arranging information so computers can store and use it
  • noun
  • /ˈdeɪtə ˈfɔrmæt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : formato de datos
  • ESSL 3 and LAPACK 2 support both data formats, so a user can choose either for their application.
  • recursive data format
  • a new data format

Your whole programme may need to change because of this, the very inflexible data format.

Examples

  • XML is a popular data format used for structuring information on the web.

  • To generally exploit these relationships, one must change the input data format; see again 6, 8, 9.

    Academic text (2000)

  • However, the most natural answer is that the algorithms perform about the same for both data formats.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Still, the idea of having applications that can read others' data formats is compelling.

    Blog text (30)

  • XML, or the Extensible Markup Language, is a wonderful data format that can be used for almost anything.

    Blog text (16)

  • Existing codes for Cholesky and LDLT factorization use either full storage or packed storage data formats.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The pre- and post-self evaluations mean scores were entered in an SPSS data format for analysis.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In the third, a new data format is presented which enables routines to make better use of high-performance DGEMM routines.

    Academic text (2000)

  • When sharing information between different systems, it is crucial to use an appropriate data format for compatibility.

  • Understanding the data format helps developers process information efficiently in their applications.

Synonyms

format
vsdata format
256 3.2

The arrangement or layout of information such as pages and documents

is a specific technical structure defined for storing and processing information
formatting
vsdata format
1 3.3

An arrangement of text or data that makes it easy to read and follows rules

is a defined reusable structure used to store and process information

How Structured

to table
  • Specialized
1 3.9
data format
  • Specialized
1 3.7
format
256 3.2
plaintext
  • Specialized
3.9

Surface Forms

data format singular
data formats plural

Morphology

data + format

The meaning 'a way of organizing information' is directly and transparently composed from 'data' (information) + 'format' (layout/organization), so the overall sense follows normal noun-noun composition. This is a cross-linguistically common and non-idiomatic compound, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Data format uses a clear picture: data are the facts or numbers and format is the shape or order they must fit. Imagine putting many items into the same shaped boxes so a 'computer' can read them easily, and that's why it means 'a particular way of organizing information' for machines.