01-10-2012, 01:00 PM
Data
data+processing.ppt (Size: 552 KB / Downloads: 30)
Data
The word data is derived from Latin language. It is plural of Datum (But Data is usually used as a singular term.) Datum (singular) – Data (plural). Data is any collection of facts of figures. The data is the raw material to be processed by a computer.
Example
Names of students, marks obtained in the examination, designation of employees, addresses, quantity, rate, sales figures or anything that is input to the computer is data. Even pictures, photographs, drawings, charts and maps can be treated as data. Computer processes the data and produces the output or result
Types of Data
Mainly Data is divided into two types:1. Numeric Data2. Character Data
1. Numeric Data
The data which is represented in the form of numbers is known as Numeric Data. This includes 0-9 digits, a decimal point (.), +, /, – sign and the letters “E” or “D”.
2. Character Data
Character data falls into two groups.i. String Dataii. Graphical Data
String DataString data consists of the sequence of characters. Characters may be English alphabets, numbers or space. The space, which separates two words, is also a character. The string data is further divided into two types.a. Alphabetic Datab. Alphanumeric Data
Graphical DataIt is possible that pictures, charts and maps can be treated as data. The scanner is normally used to enter this type of data. The common use of this data is found in the National Identity Card.
Information
A collection of data which conveys some meaningful idea is information. It may provide answers to questions like who, which, when, why, what, and how.or
The raw input is data and it has no significance when it exists in that form. When data is collated or organized into something meaningful, it gains significance. This meaningful organization is informationor
Observations and recordings are done to obtain data, while analysis is done to obtain information
Data Processing
Any operation or set of operations performed upon data, whether or not by automatic means, such as collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation or alteration to convert it into useful information.
Data Processing Cycle
Once data is collected, it is processed to convert it into useful information. The data is processed again and again until the accurate result is achieved. This is called data processing cycle.
The data processing is very important activity and involves very careful planning. Usually, data processing activity involves three basic activities.
Input
Processing
Output
Types of Data Processing
EDP
EDP (electronic data processing), an infrequently used term for what is today usually called "IS" (information services or systems) or "MIS" (management information services or systems), is the processing of data by a computer and its programs in an environment involving electronic communication. EDP evolved from "DP" (data processing), a term that was created when most computing input was physically put into the computer in punched card form or in ATM cards form and output as punched cards or paper reports.
Real time processing
In a real time processing, there is a continual input, process and output of data. Data has to be processed in a small stipulated time period (real time), otherwise it will create problems for the system. For example, when a bank customer withdraws a sum of money from his or her account it is vital that the transaction be processed and the account balance updated as soon as possible, allowing both the bank and customer to keep track of funds.