In general, raw data that has been verified to be accurate and timely, is specific and organized for a purpose, is presented within a context that gives it meaning and relevance, and which leads to increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty.
Data can be de as a representation of facts, concept of instruction in a formalize manner, which should be suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by human or electronics machine.
- Collection of facts
- Raw Information
Processing
Sequence of actions required to be performed on data to convert it into results. For example, a merit list is generated after processing the raw information available about the marks of each student.
Results
- Useful Information
- Facts in organized manner
The computer is an electronic data processing device which is capable of taking input, processing it to generate useful information(output) and store both input as well as the output. The data processing cycle comprises of following 4 distinct stages viz. :-
1. Input:
Data is collected and entered into the computer. This is called input process.
2. Storage:
What is entered into the computer is stored in its main memory. This storage is temporary i.e. the contents of the memory are lost when the power is switched off. Another memory, called secondary memory, is used to store the information of the main memory permanently.
3. Processing:
The sequence of actions that are performed on the data stored in the main memory, to get results is called processing. Results are stored in the main memory till they are transferred to an output device.
4. Output:
Stored results are taken out of the main memory. This process is known as output process.
The main components of a computer to data processing:
* Central Processing Unit
* Input Devices/media
* Output Devices/media
Some special purpose devices and media are also available.
The CPU is also called the brain of the computer. Its basic function is to perform calculations and various logical operations.
It consists of three parts : -
1. Control Unit
- Comprises of electronic circuits.
- Performs calculations and comparisons.
- Governs input/output (I/O) operations, data transfer to and from storage and guides the routing of data between storage location and the arithmetic and logic unit.
2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
- It consists of electronic circuits
- It selects, interprets and executes instructions.
- Works at tremendous speed and executes millions of instructions per second (MIPS).
3. Memory or Storage
- Also called Internal storage or main memory or random access memory (RAM).
- Consists of very fast memories like magnetic core memory or semiconductor memory.
- Stores program instructions or part of data for immediate need.
- Data is stored in a computer memory in the form of words, bytes and bits.
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