Podatci

Podatci (singular: podatak) is the Croatian term for data, referring to any recorded facts, figures, or symbols that can be processed, stored, and transmitted. In information science, podatci are considered the raw material from which information and knowledge are derived through analysis, interpretation, and contextualisation. They may be quantitative, such as numerical measurements, or qualitative, such as textual descriptions, images, or audio recordings.

The collection of podatci occurs in a wide range of domains, including scientific research, business operations, public administration, and everyday digital communication. Methods of gathering podatci range from manual surveys and experiments to automated sensors and electronic logs. Once collected, podatci are organised in databases or data sets, where they can be indexed, cleaned, and validated to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Processing podatci involves techniques such as statistical analysis, data mining, and machine learning, which transform them into actionable information. The resulting insights support decision‑making in sectors such as finance, healthcare, marketing, and government policy. Because podatci often contain sensitive or personally identifiable information, legal frameworks and ethical guidelines—such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union—regulate their storage, sharing, and use to protect privacy and prevent misuse.

In contemporary society, the volume and velocity of podatci have grown dramatically, giving rise to the concept of “big data.” This development has spurred advancements in storage infrastructure, processing algorithms, and visualization tools, enabling organizations to extract value from ever‑larger and more complex collections of podatci.