Define structured data.

Structured data refers to information that is highly organized and easily searchable, typically stored in a predefined format, such as databases or spreadsheets. This type of data adheres to a strict schema, meaning it has a well-defined structure, which allows for efficient querying and analysis using techniques such as SQL (Structured Query Language).

The organization of structured data enhances its usefulness for data-driven decision-making processes. Because it follows a consistent schema, businesses and analysts can quickly access, manipulate, and analyze the information without needing extensive preprocessing. Examples of structured data include numerical values, dates, and categorical variables formatted in rows and columns.

In contrast, unorganized or free-form data is characterized by its lack of structure, making it more challenging to analyze without additional processing. Additionally, data that consists solely of images and videos or those that require significant processing to interpret do not fall under the definition of structured data because they lack the organization and predefined formats that are hallmarks of the structured variety.