Terms in Information Processing
- Data
- The raw material that is input into a computer system. It consists of character, numbers, alphanumerical and program code.
- Information
- The data that has been processed by a computer system.
- Information/Data processing
- The processing by a computer system that take in data and generate information.
- Information System
- A set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization.
- Information Retrieval
- The process by which data stored on a computer system is searched and the relevant information found.
- Information Management
- The process of ensuring that all data is inputted accurately, stored correctly, retrieved easily and outputted in a way that provides useful information.
Types of Information/Data Processing
- The types of Information/Data Processing are:
- Commercial data processing
- Industrial data processing
- Scientific data processing
- 1. Commercial Data Processing
- These are data/information tasks carried out by computer system in many businesses to carry out some time-consuming administrative tasks.
- For example: Payroll, Orders, Budget, Sales, Invoice, Marketing, etc...
- In some case the process is done only by the computer system while in other cases employees use the general/specialized/custom written software.
- 2. Industrial Data Processing
- Consists of data processing such as:
- Control system
- Computer Aided Design (C.A.D.)
- Computer Aided Engineering & Computer Aided Manufacture
-
- Control System
- Controls the processes used when manufacturing products
- There are two main types of control systems:
- 1. Automation control system
- 2. Process control system
- Automation control system
- Carries out a set of straight-forward tasks. For example running through your washing machine cycle. They do not need human involvement at all. Once the system is switch on it follows a set of predetermined action to the end.
- Process control system
- Is used for more complex operation. They constantly check the state of play and change the action in response. For example a digital video recorder or digital camera. The data is captured automatically through sensors.
- 3. Scientific Data Processing
- This is a data/processing system tasks carried out by a computer system for scientific purposes where sensors are used to capture data over a period of time. This method often displays results in charts and uses statistical method of analyzing to find connections between data. For example a seismograph.
-
Charateristics of Information Processing
- The data should be:
- Accurate
- Up to date
- Structured in a way that makes it possible to search for specific data
- Stored in a suitable storage medium
