Data processing is the collection and manipulation of digital data to produce meaningful information.[1] Data processing is a form of information processing, which is the modification (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer.[note 1]
The term "Data Processing", or "DP" has also been used to refer to a department within an organization responsible for the operation of data processing programs.[2]
Analysis – the "collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data."
Reporting – list detail or summary data or computed information.
Classification – separation of data into various categories.
History
The United States Census Bureau history illustrates the evolution of data processing from manual through electronic procedures.
Manual data processing
Although widespread use of the term data processing dates only from the 1950's, [3] data processing functions have been performed manually for millennia. For example, bookkeeping involves functions such as posting transactions and producing reports like the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. Completely manual methods were augmented by the application of mechanical or electronic calculators. A person whose job was to perform calculations manually or using a calculator was called a "computer."
The 1890 United States Census schedule was the first to gather data by individual rather than household. A number of questions could be answered by making a check in the appropriate box on the form. From 1850 to 1880 the Census Bureau employed "a system of tallying, which, by reason of the increasing number of combinations of classifications required, became increasingly complex. Only a limited number of combinations could be recorded in one tally, so it was necessary to handle the schedules 5 or 6 times, for as many independent tallies."[4] "It took over 7 years to publish the results of the 1880 census"[5] using manual processing methods.
Automatic data processing
The term automatic data processing was applied to operations performed by means of unit record equipment, such as Herman Hollerith's application of punched card equipment for the 1890 United States Census. "Using Hollerith's punchcard equipment, the Census Office was able to complete tabulating most of the 1890 census data in 2 to 3 years, compared with 7 to 8 years for the 1880 census. It is estimated that using Hollerith's system saved some $5 million in processing costs"[5] in 1890 dollars even though there were twice as many questions as in 1880.
The term data processing has mostly been subsumed by the more general term information technology (IT).[6] The older term "data processing" is suggestive of older technologies. For example, in 1996 the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) changed its name to the Association of Information Technology Professionals. Nevertheless, the terms are approximately synonymous.
Commercial data processing involves a large volume of input data, relatively few computational operations, and a large volume of output. For example, an insurance company needs to keep records on tens or hundreds of thousands of policies, print and mail bills, and receive and post payments.
In science and engineering, the terms data processing and information systems are considered too broad, and the term data processing is typically used for the initial stage followed by a data analysis in the second stage of the overall data handling.
Data analysis uses specialized algorithms and statistical calculations that are less often observed in a typical general business environment. For data analysis, software suites like SPSS or SAS, or their free counterparts such as DAP, gretl or PSPP are often used.
Systems
A data processing system is a combination of machines, people, and processes that for a set of inputs produces a defined set of outputs. The inputs and outputs are interpreted as data, facts, information etc. depending on the interpreter's relation to the system.
A term commonly used synonymously with data or storage (codes) processing system is information system.[7] With regard particularly to electronic data processing, the corresponding concept is referred to as electronic data processing system.
Examples
Simple example
A very simple example of a data processing system is the process of maintaining a check register. Transactions— checks and deposits— are recorded as they occur and the transactions are summarized to determine a current balance. Monthly the data recorded in the register is reconciled with a hopefully identical list of transactions processed by the bank.
A more sophisticated record keeping system might further identify the transactions— for example deposits by source or checks by type, such as charitable contributions. This information might be used to obtain information like the total of all contributions for the year.
The important thing about this example is that it is a system, in which, all transactions are recorded consistently, and the same method of bank reconciliation is used each time.
^Data processing is distinct from word processing, which is manipulation of text specifically rather than data generally. "data processing". Webopedia. September 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to Data processing.
References
^French, Carl (1996). Data Processing and Information Technology (10th ed.). Thomson. p. 2. ISBN1844801004.
^Illingworth, Valerie (11 December 1997). Dictionary of Computing. Oxford Paperback Reference (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN9780192800466.
^Anthony Ralston; et al., eds. (2000). Encyclopedia of Computer Science 4th ed. Nature Publishing Group. p. 865.
Further reading
Bourque, Linda B.; Clark, Virginia A. (1992) Processing Data: The Survey Example. (Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, no. 07-085). Sage Publications. ISBN0-8039-4741-0
Levy, Joseph (1967) Punched Card Data Processing. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
January 09, 2023
data, processing, other, uses, disambiguation, collection, manipulation, digital, data, produce, meaningful, information, form, information, processing, which, modification, processing, information, manner, detectable, observer, note, term, data, processing, a. For other uses see Data processing disambiguation Data processing is the collection and manipulation of digital data to produce meaningful information 1 Data processing is a form of information processing which is the modification processing of information in any manner detectable by an observer note 1 The term Data Processing or DP has also been used to refer to a department within an organization responsible for the operation of data processing programs 2 Contents 1 Data processing functions 2 History 2 1 Manual data processing 2 2 Automatic data processing 2 3 Electronic data processing 2 4 Other developments 3 Applications 3 1 Commercial data processing 3 2 Data analysis 4 Systems 4 1 Examples 4 1 1 Simple example 4 1 2 Real world example 5 See also 6 Notes 7 External links 8 References 9 Further readingData processing functions EditData processing may involve various processes including Validation Ensuring that supplied data is correct and relevant Sorting arranging items in some sequence and or in different sets Summarization statistical or automatic reducing detailed data to its main points Aggregation combining multiple pieces of data Analysis the collection organization analysis interpretation and presentation of data Reporting list detail or summary data or computed information Classification separation of data into various categories History EditThe United States Census Bureau history illustrates the evolution of data processing from manual through electronic procedures Manual data processing Edit Although widespread use of the term data processing dates only from the 1950 s 3 data processing functions have been performed manually for millennia For example bookkeeping involves functions such as posting transactions and producing reports like the balance sheet and the cash flow statement Completely manual methods were augmented by the application of mechanical or electronic calculators A person whose job was to perform calculations manually or using a calculator was called a computer The 1890 United States Census schedule was the first to gather data by individual rather than household A number of questions could be answered by making a check in the appropriate box on the form From 1850 to 1880 the Census Bureau employed a system of tallying which by reason of the increasing number of combinations of classifications required became increasingly complex Only a limited number of combinations could be recorded in one tally so it was necessary to handle the schedules 5 or 6 times for as many independent tallies 4 It took over 7 years to publish the results of the 1880 census 5 using manual processing methods Automatic data processing Edit The term automatic data processing was applied to operations performed by means of unit record equipment such as Herman Hollerith s application of punched card equipment for the 1890 United States Census Using Hollerith s punchcard equipment the Census Office was able to complete tabulating most of the 1890 census data in 2 to 3 years compared with 7 to 8 years for the 1880 census It is estimated that using Hollerith s system saved some 5 million in processing costs 5 in 1890 dollars even though there were twice as many questions as in 1880 Electronic data processing Edit Computerized data processing or Electronic data processing represents a later development with a computer used instead of several independent pieces of equipment The Census Bureau first made limited use of electronic computers for the 1950 United States Census using a UNIVAC I system 4 delivered in 1952 Other developments Edit The term data processing has mostly been subsumed by the more general term information technology IT 6 The older term data processing is suggestive of older technologies For example in 1996 the Data Processing Management Association DPMA changed its name to the Association of Information Technology Professionals Nevertheless the terms are approximately synonymous Applications EditCommercial data processing Edit Main article Electronic data processing Commercial data processing involves a large volume of input data relatively few computational operations and a large volume of output For example an insurance company needs to keep records on tens or hundreds of thousands of policies print and mail bills and receive and post payments Data analysis Edit Main article Data analysis In science and engineering the terms data processing and information systems are considered too broad and the term data processing is typically used for the initial stage followed by a data analysis in the second stage of the overall data handling Data analysis uses specialized algorithms and statistical calculations that are less often observed in a typical general business environment For data analysis software suites like SPSS or SAS or their free counterparts such as DAP gretl or PSPP are often used Systems EditA data processing system is a combination of machines people and processes that for a set of inputs produces a defined set of outputs The inputs and outputs are interpreted as data facts information etc depending on the interpreter s relation to the system A term commonly used synonymously with data or storage codes processing system is information system 7 With regard particularly to electronic data processing the corresponding concept is referred to as electronic data processing system Examples Edit Simple example Edit A very simple example of a data processing system is the process of maintaining a check register Transactions checks and deposits are recorded as they occur and the transactions are summarized to determine a current balance Monthly the data recorded in the register is reconciled with a hopefully identical list of transactions processed by the bank A more sophisticated record keeping system might further identify the transactions for example deposits by source or checks by type such as charitable contributions This information might be used to obtain information like the total of all contributions for the year The important thing about this example is that it is a system in which all transactions are recorded consistently and the same method of bank reconciliation is used each time Real world example Edit This is a flowchart of a data processing system combining manual and computerized processing to handle accounts receivable billing and general ledger See also EditScientific computing Big data Computation Decision making software Information and communications technology Information technology Computer scienceNotes Edit Data processing is distinct from word processing which is manipulation of text specifically rather than data generally data processing Webopedia September 1996 Retrieved June 24 2013 External links Edit Wikiquote has quotations related to Data processing References Edit French Carl 1996 Data Processing and Information Technology 10th ed Thomson p 2 ISBN 1844801004 Illingworth Valerie 11 December 1997 Dictionary of Computing Oxford Paperback Reference 4th ed Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192800466 Google N gram viewer Retrieved June 26 2013 a b Truesdell Leon E 1965 The development of punch card tabulation in the Bureau of the Census 1890 United States Department of Commerce a b Bohme Frederick Wyatt J Paul Curry James P 1991 100 Years of Data Processing The Punchcard Century United States Bureau of the Census Google N gram viewer Retrieved April 28 2018 Anthony Ralston et al eds 2000 Encyclopedia of Computer Science 4th ed Nature Publishing Group p 865 Further reading EditBourque Linda B Clark Virginia A 1992 Processing Data The Survey Example Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences no 07 085 Sage Publications ISBN 0 8039 4741 0 Levy Joseph 1967 Punched Card Data Processing McGraw Hill Book Company Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Data processing amp oldid 1132245694, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
