资料来源 : WordNet®

data hierarchy
     n : an arrangement of data consisting of sets and subsets such
         that every subset of a set is of lower rank than the set

资料来源 : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

data hierarchy
     
        The system of data objects which provide the {method}s for
        {information} storage and retrieval.  Broadly, a data
        hierarchy may be considered to be either natural, which arises
        from the alphabet or syntax of the language in which the
        information is expressed, or machine, which reflects the
        facilities of the computer, both hardware and software.
     
        A natural data hierarchy might consist of {bits},
        {characters}, words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and
        chapters.  One might use components bound to an application,
        such as field, record, and file, and these would ordinarily be
        further specified by having {data descriptors} such as name
        field, address field, etc.  On the other hand, a machine or
        software system might use {bit}, {byte}, {word}, {block},
        {partition}, {channel}, and {port}.
     
        Programming languages often provide {types} or {objects} which
        can create data hierarchies of arbitrary complexity, thus
        allowing software system designers to model language
        structures described by the linguist to greater or lesser
        degree.
     
        The distinction between the natural form of data and the
        facilities provided by the machine may be obscure, because
        users force their needs into the molds provided, and
        programmers change machine designs.  As an example, the
        natural data type "character" and the machine type "byte" are
        often used interchangably, because the latter has evolved to
        meet the need of representing the former.
     
        (1995-11-03)