PART I: Lesson 1

DATA PROCESSING

All through the different stages of civilization, man has always tried to look for ways to simplify work and to solve
problems more efficiently. Many problems involved numbers and quantities, so man started looking for easier ways
to count. As society has grown in both size and complexity, so has the data that is generated within it.

Data is defined as any collection of facts. Thus, sales reports, inventory figures, test scores, customers’ name, and
addresses, and weather reports are all examples of data. Even photographs, drawings, and maps are considered data.

Data processing is the manipulation of data into a more useful form. It is the modern name for paperwork and
involves the collecting, processing, and distributing of facts and figures to achieve and desired result. Data
processing includes not only numerical calculations but also operations such as the classification of data and the
transmission of data from one place to another. Data processing system refers to the equipment or devices and
procedures by which the result is achieved.

CATEGORIES OF DATA PROCESSING

I. Manual Data Processing

In some data processing operations, all work is still done using manual procedures. These systems employ
tools and materials such as pencils, pens, multiple-copy forms, carbon forms and filing cabinets.

II. Manual-Mechanical Data Processing

It uses a combination of manual procedures and mechanical equipment. It uses various devices such as
typewriters, sorters, calculators, collators, tabulators, duplicators, and verifiers.

III. Electronic Data Processing

Different types of input, output and storage devices may be interconnected to an electronic computer to
process data.

DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

Regardless of the kind of data processed or the kind of device or equipment used, all data processing systems
involve at least three basic steps: input, processing, and output.

1. Input
In this step the initial data, or input data, are prepared in some convenient form for processing.

2. Processing
In this step the input data are changed, and usually combined with other information to produce data in a
more useful form

3.
Output
Here the results of the preceding processing steps are collected. The particular form of the output data
depends on the use of data.
IPO CYCLE

INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT

EXPANDED DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

Frequently, three more steps are added to the basic data processing cycle to obtain the expanded data processing
cycle. These three additional steps are origination, distribution, and storage.

1. Origination
It is a step which refers to the process of collecting original data. An original recording of the data is called
a source document.

2. Distribution
This step refers to the distribution of the output data. Recording of the output data are often called report
documents.

3. Storage
Storage is crucial in many data processing procedures. Data processing results are frequently placed in
storage to be used as input data for further processing at a later data.

EXPANDED IPO CYCLE

ORIGINATION

INPUT

PROCESSING STORAGE

OUTPUT

DISTRIBUTION