DATA PROCESSING

Data processingis, broadly, "thecollectionand manipulation of items of data to producemeaningfulinformation." It can be considered a subset ofinformation processing, "the change (processing) of information .The term is often used more specifically in the context of a business or other organization to refer to the class of commercial data processing applications.[2]FUNCTIONSData processing may involve various processes, including: Validation Ensuring that supplied data is "clean, correct and useful" Sorting "arranging items in some sequence and/or in different sets." Summarization reducing detail 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 separates data into various categories.

TYPES OF DATA PROCESSING

Manual data processingAlthough widespread use of the termdata processingdates only from the nineteen-fifties[3]data processing functions have been performed manually for millennia.For example, bookkeepinginvolves functions such as posting transactions and producing reports like thebalance sheetand thecash flow statement. Completely manual methods were augmented by the application ofmechanicalor electroniccalculators. A person whose job it was to perform calculations manually or using a calculator was called a "computer."Automatic data processing

The termautomatic data processingwas applied to operations performed by means ofunit record equipment, such asHerman Hollerith's application ofpunched cardequipment for the1890 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 also estimated that using Herman Hollerith's system saved some $5 million in processing costs"[5](in 1890 dollars) even with twice as many questions as in 1880.

Electronic data processingComputerized data processing, orElectronic data processingrepresents the further evolution, with the computer taking the place of several independent pieces of equipment.

Further evolution"Data processing (DP)" has also previously been used to refer to the department within an organization responsible for the operation of data processing applications.[6]The termdata processinghas mostly been subsumed under the newer and somewhat more general terminformation technology(IT)[ theData Processing Management Association(DPMA) changed its name to theAssociation of Information Technology Professionals. Nevertheless, the terms are roughly synonymous.ApplicationsCommercial 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

In a science or engineering field, the termsdata processingandinformation systemsare considered too broad, and the more specialized term data analysisis typically used. Data analysis makes use of specialized and highly accurate algorithms and statistical calculations that are less often observed in the typical general business environment.

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMis a combination of machines, people, and processes that for a set of inputs produces a defined set of outputs.[1]The inputs and outputs are interpreted as data, facts, information, ... depending on the interpreter's relation to the system. A common synonymous term is "information system".

A data processing system may involve some combination of: Conversionconverting data to another format. Validation Ensuring that supplied data is "clean, correct and useful." Sorting "arranging items in some sequence and/or in different sets." Summarization reducing detail 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.Types of data processing systemsBy application areaScientific data processingScientific data processing "usually involves a great deal of computation (arithmetic and comparison operations) upon a relatively small amount of input data, resulting in a small volume of output."[3]Commercial data processingCommercial data processing "involves a large volume of input data, relatively few computational operations, and a large volume of output."[3]Accounting programs are the prototypical examples of data processing applications.Information systems (IS)is the field that studies such organizational computer systems.Data analysis"Data analysisis a body of methods that help to describe facts, detect patterns, develop explanations, and test hypotheses."[4]For example, data analysis might be used to look at sales and customer data to "identify connections between products to allow for cross selling campaigns."[5]By service type Transaction processing systems Information storage and retrieval systems Command and control systems Computing service systems Process control systems Message switching systems

Simple exampleA 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 asystem, in which, all transactions are recorded consistently, and the same method of bank reconciliation is used each time.Real-world exampleThis is aflowchartof a data processing system combining manual and computerized processing to handleaccounts receivable, billing, andgeneral ledger

DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Theskillsandequipmentused to organize,secure,storeand retrieveinformation. Data management technology can refer to wide range of techniques and database systems used for managing information use and allocating access both within a business and between entities.