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DATA PROCESSING
DATA is a collection of facts & figures, such as values or measurements. It can be
a) numbers,
b) words,
c) measurements,
d) Observations or even just descriptions of things.
INFORMATION is collection of data which conveys some meaningful idea is called
information or when data is collated or organized into meaningful form, it gains
significance. This meaningful data is called information.
 e.g. The body has 200-300 bones.
 The word data is derived from Latin language. Data is any collection of raw
facts & figures. The data is the raw material to be processed by a computer. or
anything that is input to the computer is called data.
 Example
a) NAMES of students,
b) Marks obtained in the examination,
c) Designation of employees, addresses,
d) Quantity, rate, sales figures
e) Pictures, photographs, drawings, charts and maps can be treated as
data.
 Computer processes the data and produces the output.
TYPES OF DATA
 Have two types: Numeric Data, Character Data
1) Numeric Data: The data which is represented in the form of numbers
 Includes 0-9 digits, a decimal point (.), +, /, – sign and the letters
2) Character Data: Character data falls into two groups:
i.
ii.
String Data: String data consists of the sequence of characters.
 Characters may be 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 Data: a to z
b. Alphanumeric Data: a to z & decimal numbers
Graphical Data: It is possible that pictures, charts and maps can be treated
as data. The scanner is normally used to enter this type of data.
DATA PROCESSING:
 Any operation or set of operations performed upon data, such as
a. collection,
b. recording,
c. organization,
d. Storage or alteration to convert it into useful information.
Data Processing Cycle
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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.
1) Input
2) Processing
3) Output
STEP ONE:
 Input: It is the process through which collected data is transformed into a
form that computer can understand. It is very important step because correct
output result totally depends on the input data. In input step, following
activities can be performed.
I.
Coding
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The verified data is coded or converted into machine readable form so that
it can be processed through computer.
II.
ii) Verification
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The collected data is verified to determine whether it is correct as
required.
 e.g. The collected data of all B.Sc. students that appeared in final
examination of the university is verified. If errors occur in collected
data, data is corrected or it is collected again.
III.
iii) Storing
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The data is stored on the secondary storage into a file. The stored data on
the storage media will be given to the program as input for processing.
STEP TWO: Processing
 The term processing denotes the actual data manipulation techniques , such
as
a. classifying,
b. sorting,
c. calculating,
d. summarizing,
e. comparing, etc.
STEP THREE: Output
 After completing the processing step, output is generated. The main purpose
of data processing is to get the required result. The output is stored on the
storage media for later use.
Computer Processing Operations
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A process is an instance of a computer program that is being executed. It contains
the program code and its current activity. A computer can perform four operations
which enable computers to carry out the various data processing activities.
A. Input / Output operations
B. Calculation/ text manipulation Operations
C. Logic / Comparison Operations
D. Storage and Retrieval Operations
(A) Input/Output operations
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A computer can accept data (input) from and processed data. Input devices
like keyboards, display screens, printers are just like output device.
(B) Calculation and Text manipulation Operations
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ALU( arithmetic and logical unit) performs calculation. They are also capable
of manipulating numeric and other symbols used in text.
(C) Logic/Comparison Operations
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A computer also possesses the ability to perform logical operations. For
example, Compare two items represented by the symbols A and B, there are
only three possible outcomes e.g. grad etc.
A is less than B
(A<B)
A is equal to B
(A=B)
A is greater than B
(A>B)
(D) Storage and Retrieval Operations
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Both data and program instructions are stored internally in a computer. Once
they are stored in the internal memory, they can be called up quickly
or retrieved for further use.
Types of Data Processing
1. Manual Data Processing
This method of data processing involves human intervention. The
manual process of data entry implies many opportunities for errors, such as delays
in data capture, as every single data field has to be keyed in manually, a high
amount of operator misprints or typos, high labor costs from the amount of manual
labor required. Manual processing also implies higher labor expenses in regards to
spending for equipment and supplies, rent, etc.
2. Mechanical Data Processing
Different calculations and processing are performed using mechanical
machines like calculators etc. The use of mechanical machines makes data
processing easier and less time- consuming. The chances of errors also become far
less than manual data processing.
3. Electronic Data Processing
EDP 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.
4. 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.
5. Batch Processing
In a batch processing group of transactions collected over a period of
time is collected, entered, processed and then the batch results are produced.
Batch processing requires separate programs for input, process and output. It is an
efficient way of processing high volume of data.
For example: Payroll system, Examination system and billing system.