<P> Data conversion is the conversion of computer data from one format to another . Throughout a computer environment, data is encoded in a variety of ways . For example, computer hardware is built on the basis of certain standards, which requires that data contains, for example, parity bit checks . Similarly, the operating system is predicated on certain standards for data and file handling . Furthermore, each computer program handles data in a different manner . Whenever any one of these variables is changed, data must be converted in some way before it can be used by a different computer, operating system or program . Even different versions of these elements usually involve different data structures . For example, the changing of bits from one format to another, usually for the purpose of application interoperability or of capability of using new features, is merely a data conversion . Data conversions may be as simple as the conversion of a text file from one character encoding system to another; or more complex, such as the conversion of office file formats, or the conversion of image and audio file formats . </P> <P> There are many ways in which data is converted within the computer environment . This may be seamless, as in the case of upgrading to a newer version of a computer program . Alternatively, the conversion may require processing by the use of a special conversion program, or it may involve a complex process of going through intermediary stages, or involving complex "exporting" and "importing" procedures, which may include converting to and from a tab - delimited or comma - separated text file . In some cases, a program may recognize several data file formats at the data input stage and then is also capable of storing the output data in a number of different formats . Such a program may be used to convert a file format . If the source format or target format is not recognized, then at times a third program may be available which permits the conversion to an intermediate format, which can then be reformatted using the first program . There are many possible scenarios . </P> <P> Before any data conversion is carried out, the user or application programmer should keep a few basics of computing and information theory in mind . These include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Information can easily be discarded by the computer, but adding information takes effort . </Li> <Li> The computer can add information only in a rule - based fashion . </Li> <Li> Upsampling the data or converting to a more feature - rich format does not add information; it merely makes room for that addition, which usually a human must do . </Li> <Li> Data stored in an electronic format can be quickly modified and analyzed . </Li> </Ul>

The purpose of software is to convert data into information