Information Processing

Chapter 1 explained the difference between data and information. Here is a brief
reminder:

Components of information processing

● Data is raw facts and figures that may not make much sense on their own, such as
a series of digits entered into a computer.
● Information is the usable result you get after data has been processed, when the
digits that were entered have been processed into a table you can read.
● Information processing describes the many ways that data is gathered and
interpreted. The output depends on the interpretation of the input. For example,
an alarm system uses sensors to detect movement in a room. If there is
movement, this data is processed to set off a siren.

Information processing has many benefits that make our lives easier and
more efficient:

● It makes a lot of tasks easier and faster. For example, you are able to pay bills
online or at a supermarket, which saves you from going to the place that issued
the bill.
● A lot of data is stored during information processing. Stored data is quick and
easy to access and it does not have to be processed or examined again.
● It results in automation. Multiple tasks are performed without you even
knowing about them. These tasks require little or no control by humans.
● It enables sharing and analysis of information. Information is easy to pass along
and stored information is easy to access and analyse. This means that trends can
be spotted faster and people can share ideas on how to improve processes.
● Once an information processing system has been set up, it is often easy to
maintain.
There are some disadvantages to information processing. It can be very
expensive to set up initially because of the hardware, software and
technical requirements. Depending on the system, it can be expensive to
maintain. Hardware and software must be replaced and kept up to date,
and specialists are often needed to operate these systems.

We are very reliant on information processing systems. When they fail or

do not work properly, it can cause disruption and disorder. If an automatic
teller machine (ATM) is not working, people will be unable to withdraw
money and complete other transactions.

Forms of information processing

Information is processed in several ways. Control systems regulate
themselves or other devices; they are widely used in our everyday lives:

● Household appliances, such as microwaves and washing machines, use control

systems to sense when they should start operating, how they should operate and
when to stop.
● Traffic lights are programmed to control the flow of traffic. Many traffic lights
also contain sensors that can tell when there are cars waiting at a red light and
change it to green.
● Alarm systems use heat and motion sensors to determine whether an intruder is
in a room.
● Thermostats sense when the temperature is below a set value and switch the
heating on. They switch off when the temperature reaches another set value.

Examples of process control by computer systems include specific algorithms and

commands that are used to reach a desired or definite outcome. Computers are also used
for commercial, industrial and scientific information processing.
Commercial information processing
In business and commerce, information processing is important to keep track of
transactions and records. Shops use point-of-sale (POS) systems and bar code scanners
to read prices on items and keep track of stock. Businesses use databases to store records
about customers, employees and suppliers. Payroll systems are very important to
calculate employees' salaries and print payslips. You can do banking at ATMs without
entering a bank. The ATM (automated teller machine) reads your personal ATM card
and your secure personal identification number (PIN) to activate a session. The PIN
prevents other people from using your card.

Electronic banking is a very useful information processing system. Many banks offer
an internet banking service, which allows you to conduct many transactions from your
bank account over the Internet. You can also do an electronic funds transfer (EFT).
EFT transfers money from one account to another without using cash or cheques.
Many people pay for purchases at shops using their bank cards. This is a form of EFT.
The customer's card is inserted into a POS terminal and funds are transferred from the
customer's bank account to the shop's bank account.

Industrial information processing

Information processing is a very useful and important tool in the manufacturing and
production industries. Computers automate tasks and do them more efficiently and
effectively than humans. They control robots to package products or assemble cars and
electronics. Electronic circuit boards are often assembled using computer systems.

Scientific information processing

Expert systems (page 176) help scientists process data. Here are some more examples of
scientific information processing:
● Weather forecasting systems collect weather data all over the world and use the
data to predict weather patterns.
● Health-care professionals use automated processing systems to keep track of
patient records. They also use robots to perform heart and eye surgery.
● Laboratories have machines that can read and process data from samples. For
example, a machine can analyse a blood sample and find its blood type.