TOPICS:

III. DATA
PROCESSING
IV.
COMPONENTS
iii. DATA
PROCESSING
 Data processing is any computer process that converts
data into information or knowledge.
 The processing is usually assumed to be automated and
running on a computer.
 Because data are most useful when well-presented and
actually informative, data-processing systems are often
referred to as information systems to emphasize their
practicality. Nevertheless, both terms are roughly
synonymous, performing similar conversions; data-
processing systems typically manipulate raw data into
information, and likewise information systems typically
take raw data as input to produce information as output.
DEFINITION
 Data processing, data are defined as
numbers or characters that represent
measurements from observable
phenomena. A single datum is a single
measurement from observable
phenomena. Information is defined as
either a meaningful answer to a query or
a meaningful stimulus that can cascade
into further queries.
A. GENERAL
 More generally, the term data processing can apply to any
process that converts data from one format to another,
although data conversion would be the more logical and
correct term. From this perspective, data processing
becomes the process of converting information into data
and also the converting of data back into information. The
distinction is that conversion doesn't require a question
(query) to be answered. For example, information in the
form of a string of characters forming a sentence in English
is converted or encoded meaningless hardware-oriented
data to evermore-meaningful information as the processing
proceeds toward the human being.
B. EMBEDDED SYSTEM
 Conversely, that simple example for pedagogical purposes here is
usually described as an embedded system (for the software
resident in the keyboard itself) or as (operating-)
systems programming, because the information is derived from a
hardware interface and may involve overt control of the hardware
through that interface by an operating system. Typically control
of hardware by a device driver manipulating ASIC or FPGA
registers is not viewed as part of data processing proper or
information systems proper, but rather as the domain of
embedded systems or (operating-)systems programming. Instead,
perhaps a more conventional example of the established practice
of using the term data processing is that a business has collected
numerous data concerning an aspect of its operations and that
this multitude of data must be presented in meaningful, easy-to-
access presentations for the managers who must then use that
information to increase revenue or to decrease cost. That
conversion and presentation of data as information is typically
performed by a data-processing application.
C. DATA ANALYSIS
 When the domain from which the data are harvested is a
science or an engineering, data processing and information
systems are considered too broad of terms and the more
specialized term data analysis is typically used, focusing on
the highly-specialized and highly-accurate algorithmic
derivations and statistical calculations that are less often
observed in the typical general business environment. In
these contexts data analysis packages like DAP, gretl or
PSPP are often used. This divergence of culture is exhibited
in the typical numerical representations used in data
processing versus numerical; data processing's
measurements are typically represented by integers or by
fixed-point or binary-coded decimal representations of
numbers whereas the majority of data analysis's
measurements are often represented by floating-point
representation of rational numbers.
D. PROCESSING
 Practically all naturally occurring processes can be viewed
as examples of data processing systems where
"observable" information in the form of pressure, light, etc.
are converted by human observers into electrical signals in
the nervous system as the senses we recognize as touch,
sound, and vision. Even the interaction of non-living
systems may be viewed in this way as rudimentary
information processing systems. Conventional usage of the
terms data processing and information systems restricts
their use to refer to the algorithmic derivations, logical
deductions, and statistical calculations that recur
perennially in general business environments, rather than
in the more expansive sense of all conversions of real-
world measurements into real-world information in, say, an
organic biological system or even a scientific or
engineering system.
•
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Elements of Data
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Processing
 In order to be processed by a computer, the data needs first to be converted into a machine
readable format. Once data is in digital format, various procedures can be applied on the data to
get useful information. Data Processing includes all the processes from Data Entry up to
Data Mining:

 Data Entry
 Data Cleaning
 act of detecting and correcting (or removing) corrupt or inaccurate records from a record set,
table, or database.
 DATA CODING
 DATA TRANSLATION
 DATA SUMMARIZATION
 DATA AGGREGATION
 DATA VALIDATION
 Data Tabulation
 Statistical Analysis
 Computer graphics
 Data Warehousing
…data warehouse is a repository of an organization's electronically stored data. Data warehouses are
designed to facilitate reporting and analysis. This classic definition of the data warehouse focuses on data
storage.
 Data Mining
 the process of sorting through large amounts of data and picking out relevant information.
 the statistical and logical analysis of large sets of transaction data, looking for patterns that can aid
decision making.
DATA PROCESSING
CYCLE
 I. COLLECTING AND
PROCESSING DATA
 II. DATA INPUT
 III. DATA PROCESSING AND
STORAGE
 IV. DATA OUTPUT
I. COLLECTION AND
PREPAIRING DATA
 A computer cannot function without a list
of instructions for it to follow. These
instructions must be inputted in a
computer in order for it to function. Data
must be collected before it can be input.
II. DATA INPUT
 INDIRECT
  order forms are sent in by post and lots of operators type in the orders, not
directly to the mainframe computer, but to a disk system which will eventually be
processed in a batch on the mainframe computer.

 Direct
  means the device which captures the data also inputs it to the computer, E.g. bar
code reader in a supermarket. Because the computer knows the goods have been
sold, it can keep track of the stock.

 Tools/machines for inputting data:

1.) keyboard
2.) graphics pads (tablets)
3.) scanners
III. DATA PROCESSING AND
STORAGE
 When a computer receives data, it
automatically processes the data and
executes the instructions or commands
that the data entail.
 The computer converts the inputted data
into a language that it actually
understands.
 This data is then stored or saved in the
computer’s memory for future use.
IV. DATA OUTPUT
 Output is an information produced by the
computer program and perceived by the
user.
computer
system
 Computer hardware as a system of input,
processing, output, storage, and control
components. Thus a computer system
consists of input and output devices,
primary and secondary storage devices, the
central processing unit, the control unit
within the CPU, and other peripheral
devices.
♥ PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
SYSTEMOF COMPUTER SYSTEM ♥
 1.) INPUT
 send data and instructions to the central processing unit.
 2.) OUTPUT
 make processed data available to the user.
 3.) PROCESSING
 Output devices make processed data available to the user.
 4.) SECONDARY STORAGE
 store data and programs permanently.
IV. COMPONENTS
OF A COMPUTER
SYSTEM
 A. HARDWARE
 B. SOFTWARE
 C. PEOPLE WARE
EXAMPLES OF COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
A. HARDWARE
 The hardware components of a computer system are the
electronic and mechanical parts.
 The equipment associated with a computer system is the
hardware. Computer hardware is responsible for
performing four basic functions: input, processing, output,
and storage.
 hardware is the physical aspect of computers,
telecommunications, and other devices. The term arose as
a way to distinguish the "box" and the electronic circuitry
and components of a computer from the program you put
in it to make it do things. The program came to be known
as the software.
 Hardware implies permanence and invariability.
1. INPUT DEVICES
 Input devices accept data in a form that the
computer can utilize. Also, the input devices send the
data or instructions to the processing unit to be
processed into useful information.
 The input device feeds data, raw unprocessed facts,
to the processing unit. The role of the processing unit
or central processing unit is to use a stored program
to manipulate the input data into the information
required
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Bar code reader Graphics pad

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keyboard
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Touch screen E Web cam
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joystick scanner
2. OUTPUT DEVICES
 An output device displays the processed
information to the user. The two most popular
forms of output devices are the printer and the
monitor. The monitor produces output that is
temporary—the output is lost when it is rewritten
or erased or when power is lost. Monitor output is
called softcopy. The printer displays output in a
permanent manner; it is called hardcopy. Other
types of output devices include voice output and
music output devices.
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speakers D printer
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headset Computer monitor

3. STORAGE DEVICES
 A storage device is a hardware device designed to store
information. There are two types of storage devices used
in computers
 primary storage device
 A storage location that holds memory for short periods of times.
For example, computer RAM is an example of a primary storage
device.
 secondary storage device
 A storage medium that holds information until it is deleted or
overwritten. For example, a floppy disk drive or a hard disk drive is
an example of a secondary storage device.
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Bluray E USB/flash drive

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External drive diskette

B. SOFTWARE
 As important as hardware devices may be, they are
useless without the instructions that control them. These
instructions used to control hardware and accomplish tasks
are called software. Software falls into two broad
categories— applications and systems software.
 Software or programming can easily be varied. You can put
an entirely new program in the hardware and make it
create an entirely new experience for the user. You can,
however, change the modular configurations that most
computers come with by adding new adapters or cards
that extend the computer's capabilities.
 Like software, hardware is a collective term.
1. APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE
 Applications software allows you to perform a particular
task or solve a specific problem. A word processor is the
most widely used example of applications software; it can
be used to create a letter or memo or anything else you
need to type. Other examples include games,
spreadsheets, tax preparation programs, typing tutor, etc.
Applications software can be purchased in stores and is
called packaged or commercial software. In other words, it
is prewritten. However, there may be situations that
require a specific type of software that is not available. It
would then be necessary to design and write a program;
this software is called custom software. Most often,
personal computers utilize packaged software.
MOST IMPORTANT APPLICATIONS
SOFTWARE
Software Category Function
Provides the tools for entering and revising text, adding
Word Processor
graphical elements, formatting and printing documents.

Provides the tools for working with numbers and allows

Spreadsheets you to create and edit electronic spreadsheets in
managing and analyzing information.
Provides the tools for management of a collection of
Database Management interrelated facts. Data can be stored, updated,
manipulated, retrieved, and reported in a variety of ways.
Provides the tools for creating graphics that represent
Presentation Graphics data in a visual, easily understood format.

Provides the tools for connecting one computer with

Communication Software another to enable sending and receiving information and
sharing files and resources.
Provides access to the Internet through a service
Internet Browser provider by using a graphical interface.
2. SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
 As important as applications software may
be, it is not able to directly communicate
with hardware devices. Another type of
software is required operating systems
software. Operating Systems software is
the set of programs that lies between
applications software and the hardware
devices.
2. SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
(CONTINUATION)
 All computers, regardless of size, require the operating systems
software. As soon as your personal computer is turned on, the
operating systems software is loaded into RAM in order to use your
computer devices and other software. A few short years ago,
personal computers used an operating system call MS-DOS,
Microsoft Disk Operating System. This was a command-driven
program in which you needed to know command names and
syntax. The need for a more user-friendly system brought about
Microsoft Windows operating systems software. Icons or pictures,
requiring no knowledge of spelling or syntax, drive Windows
operating systems software. Windows is a GUI, graphical user
interface. A GUI uses graphic symbols, icons, in its interface.
Further, Windows allows you to multitask, which means that you
may use more than one program at the same time. The newest
version of Windows is Windows 2000.
Think of the cross section of an onion. The inner core of the onion
represents the hardware devices, and the applications software
represents the outside layer. The middle layer is the operating
systems software. The instructions must be passed from the outer
layer through the middle layer before the reaching the inner layer.
C. PEOPLEWARE
 Peopleware are the "users"
pertaining to computers
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