For this website, data mining is the automated or semi-automated process of discovering patterns in data.  A related term is machine learning, defined for this website as the development and optimization of algorithms for automated or semi-automated pattern discovery.

The two terms are similar, and in many practical uses are identical.  The term data mining has more use among business analysts, while academic people (especially faculy who teach this topic and doctoral graduate students) prefer the term machine learning.  The focus is also somewhat different.  Data miners will look at a variety of algorithms and techniques to analyze data.  By contrast, machine learning professionals typically develop or enhance specific algorithms for general applications.  In other words, data miners focus on the data, and machine learning professionals focus on the algorithms.  To summarize, the two terms have overlap, where the variance depends on the application emphasis.

This website focuses on business intelligence applications of data mining.  The science behind the algorithms can be obtained in literature typically requiring graduate-level mathematics.