Introduction to Data Processing PDF

**Introduction to Data Processing** Data processing is an operation on computer data which involves the entering, sorting, updating and retrieving of information using a computer. **Properties of data** 1. Collected/Captured 2. Prepared 3. Presented 4. Precise 5. Complete 6. Accurate...

**Introduction to Data Processing** Data processing is an operation on computer data which involves the entering, sorting, updating and retrieving of information using a computer. **Properties of data** 1. Collected/Captured 2. Prepared 3. Presented 4. Precise 5. Complete 6. Accurate 7. Purposeful 8. Assigned **Data processing cycle** The data processing cycle describes the stages of data processing. It involves the following stages: 1. Data gathering 2. Data collation 3. Input stage 4. Processing stage 5. Storage stage Output stage **The element of data processing;** **[Data Processing Activities]** There are three stages of data processing activities. They are 1\. Input Activities: It involves the three stages below a\. Collection: Gathering data from various sources. b\. Verification/Validation: Checking data accuracy to avoid errors (GIGO). c\. Coding: Converting data into machine-readable form for processing. 2\. Processing: a\. Classification: Grouping data by characteristics for easy use. b\. Sorting: Arranging data in a specific order for processing. c\. Calculation: Performing arithmetic or logical operations on data. d\. Summarizing: Condensing data into a useful form. e\. Storing: Keeping data for future use, on disks or other media. 3\. Output: a\. Retrieving: Accessing stored data. b\. Converting: Preparing data in a readable format. c\. Communication: Delivering data to users. **[Importance of Data Processing]** 1\. Efficiency: Data processing helps manage large volumes of data quickly and effectively, saving time and effort. 2\. Timely and Accurate Information: It ensures that accurate data is available when needed, aiding swift decision-making. 3\. Improved Decision-Making: Processed data leads to better, informed decisions, enhancing organizational performance. 4\. Data Integrity and Security: It maintains data accuracy, completeness, and security, ensuring trust. 5\. Cost Reduction: Automating data processing cuts operational costs and reduces human errors. 6. Enhanced Productivity: Streamlining tasks through data processing boosts overall productivity. **[HISTORY OF COMPUTING]** **EARLY MECHANICAL COUNTING/CALCULATING DEVICES** 1. Abacus 2. Slide rule **EARLY ELECTRO-MECHANICAL COUNTING DEVICES** 1. John Napier bone 2. Blaize Pascal machine 3. Gottfried Leitbnitz machine 4. Joseph Jacquard Loom 5. Charles Babbage analytical machine **EARLY ELECTRONIC COUNTING DEVICES:** 1. Herman Hollerith punch card 2. 1. Abacus: Invented by the Chinese, the abacus is a simple frame with beads used for basic addition and subtraction. It\'s still used in some countries due to its simplicity. 2. The slide rule is a mechanical analog device used primarily for multiplication, division, and other mathematical calculations. Invented in the 17th century, it consists of sliding scales marked with logarithmic numbers. Though limited in precision, the slide rule was widely used for engineering and scientific calculations until electronic calculators became popular in the 1970s. 3. Napier's Bones: Invented by Scottish mathematician John Napier, this device used 11 rods with numbers to perform multiplication and division. The rods, made of bone, helped solve large calculations quickly. 4. Pascaline: Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642, this mechanical device used numbered wheels for addition and subtraction. Division and multiplication were achieved through repeated subtraction and addition. 5. Leibniz's Machine: Built in 1694 by Gottfried Leibniz, this device could add and multiply using a special stepped gear mechanism, which is still in use today. 6. Jacquard's Loom: Created by Joseph Jacquard, this loom revolutionized weaving by using punched cards to control patterns, marking an early form of programmging. 7. Herman Hollerith developed the punch card tabulating machine in the late 19th century. This machine used punched cards to record and process data, revolutionizing data handling and processing for large-scale applications like the U.S. Census. His invention laid the foundation for modern data processing and led to the formation of IBM (International Business Machines) 8. The John von Neumann machine refers to a computer architecture model developed by John von Neumann in 1945. It introduced the concept of storing both data and instructions in the computer\'s memory, known as the stored-program concept. This architecture, which includes components like the CPU, memory, and input/output devices, became the foundation for most modern computers and is still in use today. **[Generations Of Computers]** **FIRST GENERATION** Electronic machine which was distinct from mechanical computers evolved about 1945. UNIVAC is a good example of this generation of computers. Computers of this generation were characterized by: 1. They used Vacuum tubes. 2. They were very large and expensive. 3. They were very bulky. 4. They had a low retentive memory. 5. They generated a lot of heat. **SECOND GENERATION** Second generation computers were the replacement of vacuum tubes. Second generation computers utilized primary discrete TRANSISTORS. They had limited capability but were more advanced than the first generation computers. **FEATURES** 1. They were more reliable than the first generation. 2. They could perform calculations. 3. They had a more efficient storage facility. 4. They generated lesser heat compared with the first generated computers. **THIRD GENERATION** Third generation computers utilized INTEGRATED CIRCUIT \[ICs\] technology, Small Scale Integration \[SSI\] with more sophisticated software capability like multi-programming, multi-processing and operating systems as resource managers. 1. Faster input and output. 2. Increased storage capability 3. Increased process capability 4. Ability to display pictures and musical sound **FOURTH GENERATION** Fourth generation computers appeared at about 1975. The technologies that characterized these machines were LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION (LSI) and VERY LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION (VLSI). The computers produced at this period were of a higher capability in terms of speed, storage and of superior performance over their counterparts of the third generation. **FIFTH GENERATION** These generations of computers made use of ARTFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AL). This category of computer was built around the following objects. 1. To build super computer i.e computers which could perform operation in the range of 10 billion instructions per seconds. 2. They were designed to have capacities like sight and hearing as well as capability to stimulate human thoughts e.g robots. Consider the table below: +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Generat | **Year | **The** | **Charact | **Softwar | **Storage | | ions** | of** | | eristics* | e** | ** | | | | **Technol | * | | | | **Of | **develop | ogy** | | **Instruc | **Capacit | | computers | ment** | | | tion** | y** | | ** | | **Used** | | | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | | | | | | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **First** | **1951-19 | **Vacuum | **Very | **Machine | **Small | | | 58** | tube** | big and | language* | internal | | | | | slow in | * | storage** | | | | | operation | | | | | | | ** | | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Second* | **1959-19 | **Transis | **Less | **High | **Core | | * | 64** | tor** | heat | level &** | storage** | | | | | generatio | | | | | | | n** | **Assembl | | | | | | | y** | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Third** | **1965-19 | **100-100 | **Introdu | **Multipr | **Interna | | | 75** | 0** | ction | ogramming | l** | | | | | of | ** | | | | | **Chips** | integrate | | | | | | | d | **Facilit | | | | | | circuit** | ies** | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Fourth* | **1975-19 | **1000 | **VLSIC** | **Introdu | **Flexibl | | * | 82** | above** | | ction | e | | | | | | of | internal | | | | | | Non-proce | & | | | | | | dural | external | | | | | | language* | storage** | | | | | | * | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | **Fifth** | **1982 | **10^6^ch | **AI and | **Introdu | **Small | | | and | ips** | Expert** | ction | but | | | above** | | | of object | powerful | | | | | **system* | oriented | network** | | | | | * | programmi | | | | | | | ng | | | | | | | language* | | | | | | | * | | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+