Key information Section 1. Computer data processing is any computeri

Computer data processing is any computering process that converts data into information or knowledge. Data-processing systems are often referred to as information systems to emphasize their practicality.

Computer data processing system

Data-processing systems typically manipulate raw data into information, and likewise information systems typically take raw data as input to produce information as output. 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.

Five basic operations characteristic of all data process­ing systems are defined as follows.

· Inputting is the process of entering data, which are collected facts, into a data processing system.

· Storing is saving data or information so that they are available for initial or for additional processing. · Processing represents performing arithmetic or log­ical operations on data in order to convert them into useful in­formation.

· Outputting is the process of producing useful infor­mation, such as a printed report or visual display.

· Controlling is directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are performed.

Computer data processing systems have four main advantages:

· Accuracy. Once data have been entered correctly into the computer component of a data processing system, the need for further manipulation by humans is eliminated, and the possi­bility of error is reduced. Computers, when properly pro­grammed, are also unlikely to make computational errors.

· Ease of communications. Data, once entered, can be trans­mitted wherever needed by communications networks. These may be either earth or satellite-based systems.

· Capacity of storage. Computers are able to store vast amounts of information, to organize it, and to retrieve it in ways that are far beyond the capabilities of humans. The amount of data that can be stored on devices such as magnetic discs is con­stantly increasing. All the while, the cost per character of data stored is decreasing.

· Speed. The speed, at which computer data processing sys­tems can respond, adds to their value. The response required might be a fraction of a second.