Data processing involves manipulating data into more useful forms by collecting, processing, and distributing facts and figures to achieve desired results. There are two main categories of data processing: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical data processing uses manual procedures and mechanical equipment like typewriters and sorters, while electronic data processing interconnects input, output, and storage devices to a computer. The basic data processing cycle includes input, processing, and output steps, but an expanded cycle also includes origination, storage, and distribution steps.

1. DATA PROCESSING LESSON 1

2. 1-1 Data Processing All through the different stages of civilization, man has always tried to look for ways to simplify work and to solve problems more efficiently. Data is of little value if it remains in the form of quantities and numbers

3. 1-2 Categories of Data Processing Mechanical Data Processing It uses a combination of manual procedures and mechanical equipment It uses various devices such as typewriters, sorters, calculators , collators , tabulators , duplicators and verifiers. Electronic Data Processing Different types of input , output and storage devices may be interconnected to an electronic computer to process data.

4. 1-3 Definition of Terms Data is defined as any collection of facts Data Processing is the manipulation of data into amore useful forms. It is the modern name for paper work and involves the collecting, processing and distributing of facts and figures to achieve a desired result.

5. 1-4 Data Processing Cycle INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

6. INPUT - In this step the initial data , or input data , are prepared in some convenient form for processing. The form will depend on the processing machine. PROCESSING – In this step the input data are changed, and usually combined with other information , to produce data in a more useful form.

7. OUTPUT – Here the result of the preceding processing steps are collected.

8. 1-5 Expanded Data Processing Cycle Origination – is a step which refers to the process of collecting the original data. An original recording of the data is called a source document. Distribution – it refers to the distribution of the output data. Recordings of the output data are often called report documents.

9. Storage – data processing results are frequently placed in storage to be used as input data for further processing at a later date.

10. EXPANDED DATA PROCESSING CYCLE ORIGINATION INPUT PROCESSING STORAGE OUTPUT DISTRIBUTION

11. EXPANDED DATA PROCESSING CYCLE ORIGINATION – is a step which refers to the process of collecting the original data. An original recording of the data is called a source document. DISTRIBUTION – this step refers to the distribution of the output data . Recordings of the output data are often called report documents.

12. STORAGE – is a crucial in many data processing procedures . Data processing results are frequently placed in storage to be used as input data for further processing at a later date. The two flowlines between the processing box and the storage box indicate the interaction of these two steps. A unified set of data in storage is called a file. Usually a file consists of a collection of records, where

13. each record contains similar data items, and a collection of related files is called a data base.