Information ProcessingInformation Processing

Mr. GayleMr. Gayle

Components of Information Processing

• Data is raw facts and figures that may not make much sense on their own, such as a series of digits entered into a computer.

• Information is the usable result you get after data has been processed, when the digits that were entered have been processed into a table you can read.

• Information processing describes the many ways that data is gathered and interpreted. The output depends on the interpretation of the input. For example, an alarm system uses sensors to detect movement in a room. If there is movement, this data is processed to set off a siren.

Advantages of Information Procesing

• It makes a lot of tasks easier and faster. For example, you are able to pay bills online or at a supermarket, which saves you going to the place that issued the bill.

• A lot of data is stored during information processing. Stored data is quick and easy to access and it does not have to be processed or examined again.

• It results in automation. Multiple tasks are performed without you even knowing about them. These tasks require little or no control by humans.

• It enables sharing and analysis of information. Information is easy to pass along and stored information is easy to access and analyse. This means that trends can be spotted faster and people can share ideas on how to improve processes.

Disadvantages of Information Processing

• It can be very expensive to set up initially because of the hardware, software and Technical requirements.

• Depending on the system, it can be expensive to maintain.

• Hardware and software must be replaced and kept up to date.

• Specialists are often needed to operate these systems.

• We are very reliant on information processing systems. When they fail or do not work properly, it can cause disruption and disorder. If an automatic Teller machine (ATM) is not working, people will be unable to withdraw money and complete other transactions.

Forms of information processing

• Information is processed in several ways. Control systems regulate themselves or other devices; they are widely used in our everyday lives:

• Household appliances, such as microwaves and washing machines, use control systems to sense when they should start operating, how they should operate and when to stop.

• Traffic lights are programmed to control the flow of traffic. Many traffic lights also contain sensors that can tell when there are cars waiting at red light and change it to green.

• Alarm systems use heat and motion sensors to determine whether an intruders in a room.

• Thermostats sense when the temperature is below a set value and switch the heating on. They switch off when the temperature reaches another set value.

• In business and commerce, information processing is important to keep track of transactions and records. Shops use point-of-sale (POS) system and bar code scanners to read prices on items and keep track of stock. Businesses use databases to store records about customers, employees and suppliers. Payroll systems are very important to calculate employee: salaries and print pay slips. You can do banking at ATMs without useful information processing system.

• Many banks offer an internet banking service, which allows you to conduct many transactions from your bank account over the Internet. You can also do an electronic funds transfer (EFT). EFT transfers money from one account to another without using cash or cheques.

• Information processing is a very useful and important tool in manufacturing and production industries. Computers automate tasks and do them more efficiently and effectively than humans.

• They control robots to package products or assemble cars and electronics.

• Electronic circuit boards are often assembled using computer systems

• Expert systems help scientists process data. Here are some more examples of scientific information processing:

• Weather forecasting systems collect weather data all over the world and use the data to predict weather patterns.

• Health-care professionals use automated processing systems to keep track of patient records. They also use robots to perform heart and eye surgery.

• Laboratories have machines that can read and process data from samples. For example, a machine can analyse a blood sample and find its blood type.

Types of Processing Modes