--- title: "What Is Temporal Data?" description: "Learn what temporal data or time-series data is and how you can use in product development. A practical guide for PostgreSQL and TimescaleDB developers." section: "Time series basics" --- > **TimescaleDB is now Tiger Data.** Temporal data, sometimes referred to as [time-series data](https://www.timescale.com/blog/time-series-data/), is a sequence of data points indexed in time order. It's integral to many fields, from finance and economics to IoT and product development. Temporal data provides a historical perspective, helping developers understand trends, patterns, and anomalies over time. [Time-Series Data Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Se5ipte9DMY?si=yLtAGT5MqPugeolj) ## ** The Role of Temporal Data in Product Development** Understanding temporal data is crucial for developers. This type of data can be anything that changes over time, such as user activity logs, system metrics, or even the changing stock prices on a market. It's a powerful tool for tracking changes, [predicting future trends](https://www.timescale.com/blog/how-a-data-scientist-is-building-a-time-series-forecasting-pipeline-using-timescaledb-and-helping-others-perform-time-series-engineering-directly-in-the-database/), or diagnosing issues. *Predicting taxicab pickups in Times Square with TimescaleDB (*[*source*](https://docs.timescale.com/timescaledb/latest/tutorials/time-series-forecast/?ref=timescale.com#seasonal-arima-with-r)*)* In product development, temporal data can help track product usage patterns, monitor system performance, and even predict future behaviors. For instance, by collecting temporal data on application usage, developers can identify peak usage times, spot potential performance issues, and strategize on feature improvements. > [Is your data temporal data or time series?](https://www.timescale.com/learn/types-of-data-supported-by-postgresql-and-timescale) Check it out! ## ** Temporal Data and A/B Testing** Moreover, temporal data can also facilitate A/B testing, a popular method for comparing two web page versions or other user experiences to see which performs better. By monitoring user interactions over time, developers can gather valuable insights that inform product features and design decisions. ## **Benefits of Using Temporal Data in Product Development** There are several benefits to using temporal data in product development. Firstly, it supports informed decision-making by providing a historical context. Secondly, it allows for predictive modeling, enabling developers to forecast future trends based on past data. Lastly, temporal data can help identify anomalies, indicating system glitches or cyber threats. It's often used in the [smart manufacturing industry for predictive maintenance](https://www.timescale.com/blog/how-united-manufacturing-hub-is-introducing-open-source-to-manufacturing-and-using-time-series-data-for-predictive-maintenance/), among other uses. [*One of Everactive’s dashboards*](https://www.timescale.com/blog/how-everactive-powers-a-dense-sensor-network-with-virtually-no-power-at-all/)* tracking the machine's overall vibration level* ## **Next Steps** In conclusion, temporal data is a vital tool in a developer's arsenal. It offers a comprehensive view of how things change over time, making it an invaluable resource for identifying trends, forecasting future behaviors, and uncovering potential issues. Now, [should you use a specific database to handle time series](https://www.tigerdata.com/learn/time-series-database-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-when-you-need-one)? The short answer is yes. #### Keep reading to learn more: - [The Ultimate Guide to Time-Series Analysis (With Examples and Applications)](https://www.timescale.com/blog/what-is-time-series-analysis-with-examples-and-applications/) - [A Guide to Data Analysis on PostgreSQL](https://www.timescale.com/learn/guide-to-data-analysis-on-postgresql) - [What Is Time-Series Forecasting?](https://www.timescale.com/blog/what-is-time-series-forecasting/) - [An Explainer on Time-Series Graphs With Examples](https://www.timescale.com/blog/what-is-a-time-series-graph-with-examples/) - [What Is a Time-Series Plot, and How Can You Create One](https://www.timescale.com/blog/what-is-a-time-series-plot-and-how-can-you-create-one/)