Data streams refer to continuous flows of data generated from various sources, such as sensors, social media, or online transactions. These streams can be processed in real-time, allowing organizations to analyze and respond to information as it arrives. This capability is essential for applications like real-time analytics and monitoring systems. In a data stream, information is typically organized in a sequence of records or events. Each record can contain different types of data, such as text, numbers, or images. By utilizing technologies like stream processing frameworks, businesses can efficiently manage and derive insights from large volumes of data without delay.