INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
CONCEPTS

Percival A. Fernandez
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is a Computer?

A machine capable of following instruction

to alter data in a desirable way and to
perform at least some of these operations
without human intervention.
A computer is a programmable machine
that receives input, stores and manipulates
data, and provides output in a useful format.
Computer was used as an electronic device
that allows inputting data and having it
stored, processed, or otherwise manipulated
quickly and efficiently.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is a Data?

Data is a collection of facts, such as

numbers, words, measurements,
observations or even just descriptions of
things.
Data is information that has been translated
into a form that is more convenient to move
or process. Data is the value of an
observable, measurable or calculable
element.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is a Data Processing?

Is the collection and manipulation of items

of data to produce meaningful information.
Is a series of operations on data, especially
by a computer, to retrieve, transform, or
classify information.
The converting of raw data to machine-
readable form and its subsequent processing
(such as storing, updating, rearranging, or
printing out) by a computer
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Types of Data Processing?

Types of data processing can be understood

on basis of methods and technology adopted.

Generally mechanical and electronic data

processing is used and at times manual data
processing is used.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Manual data processing

In this method data is processed manually

without use of machine or electronic device.
This method is slow and less reliable,
chances of error is high and this method is
very old when technical innovations were
few and rare.
This also makes processing expensive and
requires large manpower depending on the
data required to be processed.
o Example includes selling of commodity
on shop
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Mechanical data processing

Data processing is done by use of mechanical

device or very simple electronic devices like
calculator and type writers.
The advantage of this method is more
reliability and saving of time as compared to
manual data processing but still the output
is limited.
Any device which facilitates data processing
can be considered under this category.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Electronic data processing

This is the fastest and best available method

with highest reliability and accuracy.
Manpower required is minimal. Processing
can be done through various programs and
predefined set of rules.
Processing of large amount of data with high
accuracy is almost impossible which makes
it best among the available types of data
processing.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Manual data processing

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Mechanical data processing

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Mechanical data processing

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is Data Processing Cycle?

Data processing cycle as the term

suggests is sequence of steps or operations
for processing data i.e. processing raw data
to usable form.
The processing of data can be done by
number of data processing methods.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Stages of data processing

Input The raw data after collection needs to be

fed in the cycle for processing. This is considered
the first step and called input.
Processing Once the input is provided the raw
data is processed by a suitable or selected
processing method. This is the most important
step as it provides the processed data in form of
output which will be used further.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Stages of data processing

Output -This is the final outcome and the raw

data provided in the first stage is now processed
and the data is useful and provides information
and no longer called data.
Storage - This is a location which data,
instruction and information are held for future
use. Every computer uses storage to hold system
software and application software.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Stages of data processing

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Expanded data processing cycle

Origination:
In this step original data is collected on certain
documents which are known as the source
documents.
o For example student record (roll no., name,
address, marks, class, age). In case of error
this original document is referred.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Expanded data processing cycle

Storage:
During processing some information is required
or some information is to be written then the
storage is used.
o For example the no. of students who passed
with different grades. This information is to
be written the stored information is used for
further purpose.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS

Expanded data processing cycle

Distribution:
In this step the output is distributed to the
different departments according to their
requirement.
o For example income tax statement is sent to
the income tax department. The output of
one system becomes the input for the other.
o In the above example the income tax
department receives income tax report from
various departments and prepares a
summary from this report and sends it to
the finance division.
REFERENCES
Intro to Computer Concepts. Juny Pilapil La Putt
http://ejaz007.expertscolumn.com/article/expanded-data-
processing-cycle
https://peda.net/kenya/ass/subjects2/computer-studies/form-
3/nameless-8444
https://forfreeeducation.blogspot.com/2011/08/explain-data-
processing-life-cycle.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_processing
http://planningtank.com/computer-applications/types-of-data-
processing