The modification of data has been a part of data manipulation for many years. It is essential because data in a standard form cannot be used for specific purposes. This means that data has to be transformed from one format to another in order to accomplish different objectives. So, data is available in various formats based on the desired final outcome. For example, data and information are available in word document (.doc) format and portable document format (.pdf). There are software and other programs that can convert between the two. As such, the format changes though the information remains the same.

Data also has to be modified into information so as to make it understandable. For example, if an experiment is done on a computer circuit board and test values are written down, that data means nothing to anyone other than the person who conducted the experiment until it is properly transcribed into legible information. All this goes to show that data has to be modified from one format to another in order for it to be read by different computers, machines, or even persons. Encryption and decryption are also important factors when data is being sent over insecure channels. And as time goes by, there will be more sophisticated means of modifying and changing data.