What is a Data?

Datum (singular) – Data (plural).

Data is any collection of facts and of

figures. It is the raw material to be
processed by a computer.

information for computer processing:

information, e.g. numbers, text, images,
and sounds, in a form that is suitable for
storage in or processing by a computer.
Examples

Names of students, marks obtained in the

examination, designation of employees,
addresses, quantity, rate, sales figures or
anything that is input to the computer is data.
Even pictures, photographs, drawings, charts
and maps can be treated as data. Computer
processes the data and produces the output or
result.
Types of Data
Mainly Data is divided into two types:

1. Numeric Data

2. Character Data
1. Numeric Data
Numeric Data
The data which is represented
in the form of numbers is known as
Numeric Data. This includes 0-9
digits, a decimal point (.), +, /, –
sign and the letters “E” or “D”.
2. Character Data
Character data falls into two groups.
i. String Data
ii. Graphical Data

i. String Data
String data consists sequence of characters.
Characters may be English alphabets, numbers or
space. The space, which separates two words, is
also a character.
The string data is further divided into two types.
a. Alphabetic Data
b. Alphanumeric Data
ii. Graphical Data
It is possible that pictures, charts and maps
can be treated as data. The scanner is normally
used to enter this type of data. The common use of
this data is found in the National Identity Card.
Information
A collection of data which conveys some
meaningful idea is information. It may provide
answers to questions like who, which, when,
why, what, and how.

The raw input is data and it has no

significance when it exists in that form. When
data is collated or organized into something
meaningful, it gains significance, that is
information.
Observations and recordings are done to
obtain data, while analysis is done to obtain
information.
Any operation or set of operations
performed upon data, whether or not
by automatic means, such as
collection, recording, organization,
storage, adaptation or alteration to
convert it into useful information.
Data Processing
The analysis and organization of data
by the repeated use of one or more
computer programs.
Data processing is used extensively in
business, engineering, and science and
to an increasing extent in nearly all areas
in which computers are used.
Data Processing Cycle
Once data is collected, it is
processed to convert it into
useful information. The data is
processed again and again until
the accurate result is achieved.
This is called data processing
cycle.
Data Processing Cycle
The data processing is very important
activity and involves very careful
planning. Usually, data processing
activity involves three basic
activities.

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
Step-1 INPUT
It is the process through which collected data is
transformed into a form that computer can
understand. It is a very important step because correct
output result totally depends on the input data. In
input step, the following activities can be performed.
i.Verification
ii.Coding
iii.Storing

i) Verification
The collected data is verified to determine
whether it is correct as required. For example, the
collected data of all BSN students that appeared in
final examination of the university is verified. If errors
occur in collected data, data is corrected or it is
collected again.
Step-1 INPUT
ii) Coding
The verified data is coded or converted
into machine readable form so that it can
be processed through computer.

iii) Storing
The data is stored on the secondary
storage into a file. The stored data on the
storage media will be given to the program
as input for processing.
Step-2 PROCESSING
The term processing denotes the actual
data manipulation techniques such as
classifying, sorting, calculating,
summarizing, comparing, etc. that
convert data into information.

i. Classification
The data is classified into different groups
and subgroups, so that each group or sub-
group of data can be handled separately.
ii) Storing
The data is arranged into an order so that it can
be accessed very quickly as and when required.
iii) Calculations
The arithmetic operations are performed on the
numeric data to get the required results. For
example, total marks of each student are
calculated.
iv) Summarizing
The data is processed to represent it in a
summarized form. It means that the summary of
data is prepared for top management. For
example, the summary of the data of student is
prepared to show the percentage of pass and fail
student examination.
Step-3 OUTPUT
After completing the processing step,
output is generated. The main purpose of
data processing is to get the required
result. Mostly, the output is stored on the
storage media for later user. In output step,
following activities can be performed.

i) Retrieval
Output stored on the storage media
can be retrieved at any time. For example,
result of students is prepared and stored on
the disk. This result can be retrieved when
required for different purposes.
ii) Conversion
The generated output can be
converted into different forms. For
example, it can be represented into
graphical form.

iii) Communication
The generated output is sent to
different places. For example, weather
forecast is prepared and. sent to different
agencies and newspapers etc. where it is
required.
Types of Data Processing
1. Manual Data Processing
 This method of data processing involves
human intervention. The manual process of
data entry implies many opportunities for
errors, such as delays in data capture, as every
single data field has to be keyed in manually, a
high amount of operator misprints or typos,
high labor costs from the amount of manual
labor required.
 Manual processing also implies higher labor
expenses in regards to spending for
equipment and supplies, rent, etc.
Types of Data Processing
2. EDP
EDP (electronic data processing), an infrequently used term for what is today usually called "IS" (information services or systems) or "MIS"
(management information services or systems), is the processing of data by a computer and its programs in an environment involving electronic
communication.

EDP evolved from "DP" (data processing), a term that was created when most computing input was physically put into the computer in punched card
form or in ATM cards form and output as punched cards or paper reports.
Types of Data Processing
3.Real time processing
In a real time processing, there is a continual
input, process and output of data. Data has to be
processed in a small stipulated time period (real
time), otherwise it will create problems for the
system.
For example, when a bank customer withdraws
a sum of money from his or her account it is vital
that the transaction be processed and the account
balance updated as soon as possible, allowing
both the bank and customer to keep track of
funds.
Types of Data Processing
4. Batch Processing
In a batch processing group of transactions
collected over a period of time is collected,
entered, processed and then the batch results are
produced. Batch processing requires separate
programs for input, process and output. It is an
efficient way of processing high volume of data.
For example: Payroll system, Examination
system and billing system.
Computer Processing Operations
A computer can perform only the following four operations which enable computers to carry out the various data processing activities.

a.Input/Output
b.Calculation and Text Manipulation
c.Logic/Comparison
d.Storage and Retrieval
Computer Processing Operations
(a) Input/Output Operations
A computer can accept data (input) from and supply processed data (output) to a wide range of input/output devices. These devices such as keyboards, display screens,
and printers make human-machine communication possible.
(b) Calculation and Text Manipulation Operations
Computer circuits perform calculations on numbers. They are also capable of manipulating numerics and other symbols used in text with equal efficiency.
Computer Processing Operations
(c) Logic/Comparison Operations
A computer also possesses the ability to perform
logical operations.
For example, if we compare two items
represented by the symbols A and B, there are
only three possible outcomes. A is less than B
(A<B); A is equal to B (A=B): or A is greater than
B
(A>B).
A computer can perform such comparisons and
the, depending on the result, follow a
predetermined path to complete its work. This
ability to compare is an important property of
computers.
Computer Processing Operations
(d) Storage and Retrieval Operations
Both data and program instructions are
stored internally in a computer.

Once they are stored in the internal

memory, they can be called up quickly
or retrieved, for further use.