informationen

Informationen (plural of Information) is a German noun used to refer to pieces of information or data. Information is a mass noun in German, and Informationen designates multiple items of content that reduce uncertainty or provide knowledge, such as verschiedene Informationen aus verschiedenen Quellen. In everyday language, Informationen can denote facts, instructions, descriptions, or other communicative content offered to an audience.

In information theory, information is a measurable quantity related to the reduction of uncertainty in a message. Developed by Claude Shannon, the theory treats information independently of meaning, and the basic unit is the bit. Information can be quantified, transmitted, compressed, and encoded. In information science, the terms data, information, and knowledge are distinguished: data are raw signals; information is processed content; knowledge comprises organizing understanding.

Applications span computing, telecommunications, and library and information science. Information systems collect, store, retrieve, and present content and information; information retrieval, metadata, and information architecture help organize content; information governance and privacy policies regulate how information is created, stored, shared, and preserved.

Challenges include information overload, misinformation, and dual-use risks. Information literacy—the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information—is increasingly emphasized in education and professional practice. The concept of Informationen underpins many areas of science, media, and administration, where the quality and provenance of information influence decisions and trust.