1

Data
Data is a collection of raw facts & figures, such as values or
measurements.

It can be

a) numbers,
b) words,
c) measurements,
d) observations or even just descriptions of things.

2
 Information
A collection of data which conveys some meaningful idea is
called information.

or

When data is collated or organized into meaningful form, it

gains significance. This meaningful data is called
information.

e.g. Aslam is a student of Phram-D class.

3
 Data
The word data is derived from Latin language. Data is any
collection of raw facts & figures. The data is the raw material
to be processed by a computer or anything that is input to the
computer is called data.

Example
NAMES of students,
Marks obtained in the examination,
Designation of employees, addresses,
Quantity, rate, sales figures
Pictures, photographs, drawings, charts and maps
can be treated as data.

Computer processes the data and produces the output.

4
 Types of Data
Have two types:

- Numeric Data, - Character Data

1. Numeric Data: The data which is represented in

the form of numbers is known as Numeric Data.
Includes 0-9 digits, a decimal point (.), +, /, – sign
and the letters
2. Character Data: Character data falls into two
groups.

i. String Data, ii. Graphical Data

5
String Data: String data consists of the
sequence of characters.
• Characters may be 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: a to z
b. Alphanumeric Data: a to z & decimal numbers

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.
6
 Data Processing
Data processing:
Any operation or set of operations performed
upon data,
Such as
• collection,
• recording,
• organization,
• Storage or alteration to convert it into useful
information.
7
8
 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
desired result is achieved. This is called 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

9
 Data Processing Cycle…
Step-1
1. Input: It is the process through which collected data is transformed
into a form that computer can understand. It is very important step
because correct output result totally depends on the input data. In
input step, following activities can be performed.

i) Coding
The verified data is coded or converted into machine readable form so
that it can be processed through computer.
ii) Verification
The collected data is verified to determine whether it is correct as
required.
e.g. The collected data of all B.Sc. 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.

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.
10
 Data Processing Cycle…

Step-2 Processing

The term processing denotes the actual data

manipulation techniques
such as

•classifying,
•sorting,
•calculating,
•summarizing,
•comparing, etc. 11
 Data Processing Cycle
Step-3 Output

•After completing the processing step, output is

generated.

•The main purpose of data processing is to get the

required result.

•The output is stored on the storage media for later

use.

12
 Computer Processing Operations
A process is an instance of a computer program
that is being executed. It contains the program
code and its current activity.

A computer can perform four operations which

enable computers to carry out the various data
processing activities.
• Input / Output operations
• Calculation/ text manipulation Operations
• Logic / Comparison Operations
• Storage and Retrieval Operations
13
 (A) Input/Output operations

A computer can accept both raw and processed

data (input) from input devices such as
keyboards,

Display screens, printers are output devices.

14
(B) Calculation and Text manipulation
Operations

ALU( arithmetic and logical unit) performs calculation.

They are also capable of manipulating

numeric and other symbols used in text.

15
 (C) Logic/Comparison Operations

A computer also possesses the ability to perform

logical operations.

For example, Compare two items represented

by the symbols A and B, there are only three
possible outcomes e.g. grad etc.

 A is less than B (A<B)

 A is equal to B (A=B)
 A is greater than B (A>B)
16
(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.

17
 Types of
Data Processing
1. Manual Data Processing
2. EDP
3. Real time processing
4. Batch processing

18
 1- Manual Data Processing:
Definition: Manual data processing is done with pen & paper
With traditional data processing methods.
or
The manual process of data entry implies many opportunities
for errors, such as
 Delays in data capture,
 A high amount of operator misprints,
 High labor costs from the amount of manual
labor required etc.

19
 EDP: (electronic data processing),
Definition: Use of computers for recording, manipulating, and
summarizing data.

EDP can refer to the use of automated machines to process

commercial data. This uses relatively simple, repetitive activities to
process large volumes of similar information.
e.g.
 Stock updates applied to an inventory,
 Banking transactions applied to account and customer master files,
 Booking and ticketing transactions to an airline's reservation system,
 Billing for utility services.

20
 3.Real time processing
Real time processing, there is a continual input, process
and output of data. Data has to be processed in a small
time period (real time).

e.g. 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.

21
 4.Batch processing
Definition: In Batch processing a group of transactions are
collected over a period of time, entered, processed and then
the batch results are produced.
or
Batch processing requires separate programs for
input, processing and output. It is an efficient way of
processing high volume of data.

For example:

Payroll system, Examination system. Etc.

22
23