The objective of this post is to enable students understand the following basic concepts:
(a)
Definition of the computer
(b) Basic
understanding of data processing
(c) The
concept of data and information
(d) Methods
of data processing
(e)
Characteristics of a computer
Much of
science and technology involves making observations and assembling facts or
data. A collection of data is of little value of its own; it has to be
interpreted and valid conclusions drawn from it. This is done efficiently by
computer.
Data vs. Information [in
general]
Data is a
collection of facts and figures. Information is defined as processed data.
There is a subtle difference between data and information. Data are the details
from which information is derived. Individual pieces of data are rarely useful
alone. For data to become information, data needs to be put into context. Data
can be any character, text, words, number, pictures, sound, or video and, if
not put into context, means little or nothing to a human. However, information
is useful and usually formatted in a manner that allows it to be understood by
a human. What may be information for one person may be data for another person.
This is true when we see information flows in managerial hierarchy. For
information to be useful to the decision maker, it must have certain
characteristics and meet certain criteria.
Some of the
characteristics of good information are discussed as follows
i. Understandable:
Since
information is already in a summarized form, it must be understood by the
receiver so that he will interpret it correctly. He must be able to decode any
abbreviations, shorthand notations or any other acronyms contained in the
information.
ii. Relevant:
Information
is good only if it is relevant. This means that it should be pertinent and
meaningful to the decision maker and should be in his area of responsibility.
iii. Complete:
It should
contain all the facts that are necessary for the decision maker to
satisfactorily solve the problem at hand using such information. Nothing
important should be left out. Although information cannot always be complete,
every reasonable effort should be made to obtain it.
iv. Available:
Information
may be useless if it is not readily accessible ‘in the desired form, when it is
needed. Advances in technology have made information more accessible today than
ever before.
v. Reliable:
The
information should be counted on to be trustworthy. It should be accurate,
consistent with facts and verifiable. Inadequate or incorrect information
generally leads to decisions of poor quality. For example, sales figures that
have not been adjusted for returns and refunds are not reliable.
vi. Concise:
Too much
information is a big burden on computer/management and cannot be processed in
time and accurately due to “bounded rationality”. Bounded rationality
determines the limits of the thinking process which cannot sort out and process
large amounts of information. Accordingly, information should be to the point
and just enough – no more, no less.
vii. Timely:
Information
must be delivered at the right time and the right place to the right person.
Premature information can become obsolete or be forgotten by the time it is
actually needed.
Similarly,
some crucial decisions can be delayed because proper and necessary information
is not available in time, resulting in missed opportunities. Accordingly the
time gap between collection of data and the presentation of the proper
information to the decision maker must be reduced as much as possible.
viii. Cost-effective:
The
information is not desirable if the solution is more costly than the problem.
The cost of gathering data and processing it into information must be weighed
against the benefits derived from using such information.
Comparison between Data
and Information
Meaning
Data is raw,
unorganized facts that need to be processed. Data can be something simple and
seemingly random and useless until it is organized.
When data is
processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make
it useful, it is called information.
Example
Each
student's test score is one piece of data.
The average
score of a class or of the entire school is information that can be derived
from the given data.
Etymology
"Data"
comes from a singular Latin word, datum, which originally meant "something
given." Its early usage dates back to the 1600s. Over time
"data" has become the plural of datum.
"Information"
is an older word that dates back to the 1300s and has Old French and Middle English
origins. It has always referred to "the act of informing,” usually in
regard to education, instruction, or other knowledge communication
Data and information
[specific to computer]
Initially,
computers were developed to perform mathematical operations, but later on, they
were used to store the result of those operations, which with the time leads to
the storage of other data or information.
As we are
talking about data and information, now we will learn what data is and what is
called as information?
Data is a
collection of unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols.
E.g. Tom,
age, 32, years, old
Information
is a processed form of data. It is organized, meaningful, and useful.
E.g. Tom is
32 years old. Or Tom’s age is 32 years.
A computer
can be defined as an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input
from the user. It uses a set of instructions (called program) to process the
data and give the result (output). The result can be used immediately or saved
for future use.
Data and its use
In everyday
life activities, we process data or encounter cases of data processing. A
typical example of data processing is the generation of statement of student
result from the marks score in an examination and continuous assessment. It is
essential to know that information is as good as the data from which it is
derived, and the transformation process which they are subjected to. Meaningless
data or inappropriate processing produces wrong information. Thus computer
gives you results corresponding to what data you supply and how you process it
(i.e. ‘garbage- in, garbage-out’).
Summarily,
the intelligent performance of a computer depends on correctness of input data
and the intelligence performance of the human being that drives it.
Data processing:
Definitions
a. taking
input data through the keyboard (input unit)
b. storing
the input data in a diskette, hard disk or other medium
c. processing
it at the central processing unit (CPU) and
d. giving out
the result (output) on the screen or the Visual Display Unit (VDU).
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Fig : Schematic diagram to define a computer  |
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Data: The
term data is referred to facts about a person, object or place e.g. name, age,
complexion, school, class, height etc.
Information:
Is referred to as processed data or a meaningful statement e.g. Net pay of
workers, examination results of students, list of successful candidates in an
examination or interview etc.
Methods of Data Processing
The following
are the three major methods that have been widely used for data processing over
the years:
a. Manual
method
b. Mechanical
method and
c. Computer
method.
Manual Method
The manual
method of data processing involves the use of chalk, wall, pen pencil and the
like.
These
devices, machine or tools facilitate human efforts in recording, classifying,
manipulating, sorting and presenting data or information. The manual data
processing operations entail considerable manual efforts. Thus, manual method
is cumbersome, tiresome, boring, frustrating and time consuming. Furthermore,
the processing of data by the manual method is likely to be affected by human
errors. When there are errors, then the reliability, accuracy, neatness,
tidiness, and validity of the data would be in doubt. The manual method does
not allow for the processing of large volume of data on a regular and timely
basis.
Mechanical Method
The
mechanical method of data processing involves the use of machines such as
typewriter, roneo machines, adding machines and the like. These machines
facilitate human efforts in recording, classifying, manipulating, sorting and
presenting data or information. The mechanical operations are basically routine
in nature. There is virtually no creative thinking. The mechanical operations
are noisy, hazardous, error prone and untidy. The mechanical method does not
allow for the processing of large volume of data continuously and timely.
Computer Method
The computer
method of carrying out data processing has the following major features:
a. Data can
be steadily and continuously processed
b. The
operations are practically not noisy
c. There is a
store where data and instructions can be stored temporarily and permanently.
d. Errors can
be easily and neatly corrected.
e. Output
reports are usually very neat, decent and can be produced in various forms such
as adding graphs, diagrams, pictures etc.
f. Accuracy
and reliability are highly enhanced.
Post activity:
In
this post we covered data-information and computer in detail. If more detailed
information is needed please browse or search the internet for above terms.
Keywords:
Data, Information, Computer, Data processing.
…till next post, bye-bye and take
care.
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content click
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