Worksheet

THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE

The phases of information processing or the information processing cycle (IPC) are the
steps that data must follow to become useful information.
What is the difference between data and information?
Data is raw information or a collection of facts. For example, In a Super 66 draw the balls
that are drawn are all individual pieces of data.
Information is the processed data that has passed through the IPC. It is meaningful and
allows an organisation to make decisions and solve problems. For example, when all six drawn
balls are placed in their correct order, they become a piece of information.
Examine the following supermarket cash register computerised system
Unjumble the processing cycle phases into a logical order. Link the phases with the
appropriate explanation and supermarket example.
Phase
Manipulation
Acquisition

Storage

Explanation
Transmitting the information to
those who require it.
Deleting information once it has
been used

Validation

Checking the data for

completeness and accuracy
Displaying the information in a
suitable format for the user
Saving for later use

Disposal

Opening a saved file

Output

The processing of data to produce

information
Gathering of data ready to be
processed

Input

Retrieval

Communication

Data is entered into the computer

system

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Example
Products and their prices
Cash register system rejects prices
which exceed a certain amount or
cash register system indicates to
user if a bar code does not scan
Screen base for cashier hard copy
print out of receipt for customer
The ongoing calculations of the
products
Handing over the hard copy receipt
to the customer
Flat bed bar code readers used to
transmit data to the cash register
Archiving the years transactions and
storing them off site
Hard disk is used as the primary
storage device. This gives
management a statement of all
transactions at the end of each day
Locate and call back the processed
daily transactions