BCA 8th Semester CMP 316: Management Information System

Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized

manner, which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human
or electronic machine.
Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9) or
special characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.)

What is Information?
Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the
receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following
characteristics −
 Timely − Informa on should be available when required.
 Accuracy − Informa on should be accurate.
 Completeness − Information should be complete.

Data Processing Cycle

Data processing is the re-structuring or re-ordering of data by people or machine to increase
their usefulness and add values for a particular purpose. Data processing consists of the
following basic steps - input, processing, and output. These three steps constitute the data
processing cycle.

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Compile by: Deepak Bhatta (Lecturer)
Department of Computer Science – DEC [NAST]
BCA 8th Semester CMP 316: Management Information System

 Input − In this step, the input data is prepared in some convenient form for processing.
The form will depend on the processing machine. For example, when electronic
computers are used, the input data can be recorded on any one of the several types
of input medium, such as magnetic disks, tapes, and so on.
 Processing − In this step, the input data is changed to produce data in a more useful
form. For example, pay-checks can be calculated from the time cards, or a summary
of sales for the month can be calculated from the sales orders.
 Output − At this stage, the result of the proceeding processing step is collected. The
particular form of the output data depends on the use of the data. For example,
output data may be pay-checks for employees.

Data Vs Information Vs Knowledge

 Data: Raw numbers, words, etc. that lack context or meaning (E.g. 10).
 Information: Application of structure to data to convey meaning (E.g. “10 students
are enrolled at DEC NAST for the year 2020 in BCA).
 Knowledge: Understanding of a specific subject through experience or education
(E.g. “10 students are enrolled which is very minimum than 34 students in BCA 2012).

Difference between data and information

Data Information
1. Data is the input language for computer. 1. Information is the output language for
human.
2. Data is the collection of facts and figures. 2. Information is the collection of final
result.
3. Data needs processing. 3. Information does not need processing.
4. Data does not depend on information. 4. Information depends on data without it,
information cannot be processed.
5. Data is not specific. 5. Information is specific enough to
generate meaning.
6. Data is the raw material that is collected. 6. Information is a detailed meaning
generated from the data.
7. Data is not meaningful. 7. Information is meaningful.
8. Data is normally huge in its volume. 8. Information is normally short in its
volume.
9. Data is the asset of organizations and is 9. Information is normally available to
not available to people for sale. people for sale.
10. Data is difficult or even impossible to 10. Information is easier to reproduce, in
reproduce, in case of data lost. case of information lost.
11. Eg:- 28071994 11. Eg:- 28/07/1994 the Date of your Birth.

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Compile by: Deepak Bhatta (Lecturer)
Department of Computer Science – DEC [NAST]