Data is primary .... why?

["Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>]

Hi Folks,

Long ago Michael Kay said something like this:

	Data is primary.

Why is data primary?

I want to compile a list of reasons for why data is primary. I will then publish the list.

Would you give some reasons for why data is primary, please? 

Examples of data playing a primary role would also be great.

Here is an example of data playing a primary role: most air flights would be impossible without data. The aircraft collects data from various sensors -- GPS, VOR, DME, etc. -- and that data is then integrated to determine the position of the aircraft. In some automated flight management systems the position data is used to automatically adjust the pitch, roll, and level of the aircraft.

Thanks!

/Roger