  The contribution of this article is a data concept that is essentially based
on the two concepts of information and computable functionality. In short, data
is viewed as typed information. A data type is defined as a pair of a set of
distinguishable characters (an alphabet) and a set of operations (computable
functions) that operate on this alphabet as domain. Two different ways of
subtyping in the sense of Liskov and Wing are described, one for restriction
and one for extension of existing types. They lead to two different partial
orders on types. It is argued that the proposed data concept matches the
concept of characteristics (Merkmale) of the automation industry.
