The following list leads off the definitions of basic terms and concepts:

• The concept of a datatype —Datatypes comprise the forms data can take, such as numbers, dates, strings, and others.
• The concept of data integrity — The integrity of data is the validity of data. Possible compromises to data integrity include human error at data entry, network transmission errors, software bugs and virus infections, hardware malfunction, disk errors, and natural disasters. Countering compromises to data integrity is mostly a pre-emptive process, rather than a re-active process. In other words, the best solution is to attempt to prevent data integrity loss. The most significant prevention mechanisms are database backups (regularly), computer security (in all forms), and properly designed interfaces restricting how data is entered by data entry users.