Which of the following best defines unstructured data?

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Unstructured data is best defined as data that does not conform to a specific format. This type of data can take various forms—such as text, images, video, and audio—and lacks a predefined structure that makes it easily searchable and analyzable. For example, social media posts, emails, and multimedia files are all examples of unstructured data because they do not adhere to a strict schema like traditional databases do. By contrast, structured data is organized into a predictable format, typically within rows and columns in databases, making it easier to manage and analyze.

Given this context, the other definitions do not accurately capture the nature of unstructured data. Data that is organized and easy to analyze suggests a level of structure and format that is not characteristic of unstructured data. Similarly, data that is stored in a relational database is typically structured and adheres to relational models. Finally, data that is systematically categorized implies some form of organization or structure that unstructured data inherently lacks. Therefore, the defining characteristic of unstructured data lies in its lack of a specific format, making option B the correct choice.

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