Data processing is the task of using a collection of basic facts to produce information, usually it has no value
in itself until it is subjected to analysis, validations and comparisons with other data produce result
(information), for example a collection of weights of individuals do not turn useful information for decision
making.
However when the set of data is processed such as searching for individual with a maximum or minimum
weight or the weight of all concerned in the study, information is produced.
Management can decide on the basis of each information to assign special duties to the fellow with the
maximum or minimum weight. Other use could be made on such information depending upon the situation
prevailing on the organization and their special needs.
Therefore, data processing is an operation on computer data which involves the entering, sorting, updating
and retrieving of information using computer.
PROPERTIES OF DATA
1. Collected/Captured
2. Prepared
3. Presented
4. Precise
5. Complete
6. Accurate
7. Purposeful
8. Assigned
DATA PROCESSING CYCLE
The data processing cycle describes the stages of data processing. It involves the following stages:
• Data gathering
• Data collation
• Input stage
• Processing stage
• Storage stage
• Output stage