Information Processing can be defined as the step by step of operations and procedures required to process data and produce meaningful information.
Information Processing cycle is the systematic process whereby data is converted into useful information.
In simply put, Information processing Cycle deals with how the computer accept data and process it to become useful information
STAGES OF INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
Stages of information processing cycle at this level consists of four main stages. These are
- Data stage
- Processing stage
- Information stage
- Storage stage
- Distribution stage
WHAT IS DATA ?
Data in computing terms refers to the representation of raw a fact and figure.
EXAMPLES OF DATA
Data can be a:
- Number……0, 20 , 5, 100, etc.
- Symbol …….*, %,&,# etc.
- Letter or Word ………. A, keep, my etc
- Picture……..Your Birthday pictures
- Video clip or film
- Sound or music
TYPE OF DATA
Data can be group into two types or groups. these are,
Human readable data
This is a type of data that can be read and understood by the computer user or man.
The commonest example of data type can found on the computer keyboard. All the letters, symbols and keys or buttons on the keyboard are j
Machine readable data
Is a type of data that can be read and understand by machine only. This type of data is also called machine or electronic language.
This type uses Binary Digits (Os and 1s)
The binary system consists of only numbers which is zeros and ones. Each zeros and ones is called Bit.
DATA STAGE
At data stage raw facts or figures (in the form of human readable data) is inputted to the computer for processing. Is the first stage of information processing cycle.
Tools / device commonly used at data stage
Tools and devices that are used to send or enter data into the computer are:
- Image scanner
- Joystick
- Light Pen
- Web Camera
- Barcode reader
- Mouse
- keyboard
These tools collectively called input devices.
The input devices convert the human readable data into electronic signal or language that the computer can read and worked on.
PROCESSING STAGE
Processing is the act of converting / transforming raw data into useful result(information).
At processing stage the inputted data is recognized and converted into the binary format (0s and 1s).
This implies that letter key [B] can at this stage be transformed into something like 10011011(8bits / octet)
Tools Needed
Processing tool /device are all internal hardware.
Examples are:
- The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Memory (RAM)
- Graphic card
- Math’s Co processor
INFORMATION STAGE
Information is the outcome of data processing by the computer system.
At information stage the binary digits or processed data is taken by the output device.
The output devices then translate the binary digits into meaningful and processed facts on the computer which can be read and understood by human beings
Tools Needed
Example of output device are:
- Printer
- Monitor
- Speaker
- Headphones
- Plotter
- Projector