what is data conversion

what is data conversion

1.Data conversion is the conversion of one form of computer data to another--the changing of bits from being in one format to a different one, usually for the purpose of application interoperability or of capability of using new features. At the simplest level, data conversion can be exemplified by conversion of a text file from one character encoding to another. More complex conversions are those of office file formats, and conversions of image and audio file formats are an endeavor that is beyond the ken of ordinary computer users.

2.Changing from one file type to another. There are many data conversion programs on the market that support a wide number of text, database, spreadsheet and graphics formats. If a text document, database or spreadsheet format is not supported in a packaged conversion program, the textual data within the file can be converted if the application that created it is available and it can export its contents to ASCII text; however, page format settings as well as macros and other attributes will be lost. If the application or the "export to ASCII" option is not available, the only recourse is to have a custom conversion program written from scratch. If there is no written documentation available for the format, the job will be a tedious one, but it can be done unless the format is inherently encrypted.