WHAT IS DATA PROCESSING?

Data processing occurs when data is collected and translated into usable information OR Is
the act of collecting, manipulating, and transforming data to produce meaningful
information. Usually performed by a data scientist or team of data scientists, it is important
for data processing to be done correctly as not to negatively affect the end product or data
output. Data processing starts with data in its raw form and converts it into a more readable
format (graphs, documents, etc.), giving it the form and context necessary to be interpreted by
computers and utilized by employees throughout an organization.

OR
Data processing refers to the conversion of raw data into meaningful information through a series
of operations or manipulations. It involves the use of various techniques and methods to organize,
analyze, and interpret data to extract valuable insights or support decision-making.

OR
Is the converting of raw data to machine-readable form and its subsequent processing (Such as
storing, updating, ranging and printing)

DATA
Data is the raw materials to be processed by the computer .Example name of the students,
Marks obtained, Addresses, Designation, Quantity and Rate

TYPES OF DATA
Mainly data is divided into two types as follows
1. Numeric data
2. Character data

1. Numeric data
Numeric data also known as quantitative data, represents values that can be measured or
counted. refers to data that consists of numerical values or quantities. It represents
information in a quantitative form, allowing for mathematical calculations and analysis.
Numeric data can include integers (whole numbers) or real numbers (numbers with
decimals or fractions).
Examples of numeric data include:
a) Integers: 0, 1, -5, 100, etc.
b) Real Numbers: 3.14, -2.5, 100.75, etc.
Numeric data is often used in various fields for measuring, counting, or expressing
quantities. In data analysis and statistics, numeric data plays a crucial role in conducting
quantitative research and deriving meaningful insights from numerical values.
OR
The data which is represented in the form of numbers .This includes 0-9 digits, +, /’- sign
 2. Character data
Character data also known as text or string data, consists of alphanumeric characters and
symbols, which are generally non-numeric and used for descriptive or categorical information.
Refers to a type of data that represents letters, numbers, symbols, or any other character in
a written or printable form. It is often used to store and process textual information. Unlike
numeric data, which consists of numerical values, character data is concerned with individual
characters or sequences of characters that form words, sentences, or other textual
elements.
Examples of character data include:
1. Single Characters: 'A', 'b', '1', '@', etc.
2. Strings: Sequences of characters, such as "Hello, World!", "12345", "Special@123", etc.
Character data is fundamental in various applications, including text processing, data
storage, and communication. In computer programming, strings are a common
representation of character data, and many programming languages provide specific functions
and methods for manipulating and analyzing character data.

Character data falls into two groups

i. String data
ii. Graphical data

i. String data
String data refers to a sequence or series of characters, typically organized in the form of
words, sentences, or textual data. In the context of computer programming and data
representation, a string is a data type used to store and manipulate textual information.

OR

String data consists of the sequence of characters .Characters may be alphabets, numbers
or spaces

ii. Graphical data

Graphical data refers to information that is presented or represented visually through graphical
elements, such as charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, or images. Instead of relying solely on
textual representation, graphical data uses visual elements to convey complex information in a
more accessible and understandable manner.0

Information
A collection of data which conveys some meaningful idea is information .It may provide
answers to questions like who, which, when, why, what and how
Or
The raw input is data and it has no significance when it exists in that form .When data is
collected or organized into something meaningful, it gain significance .This meaningful
organization is information
Or
Observations and records are done to obtain data, while analysis is done to obtain information

Six stages of data processing

The process of data processing involves several stages, each contributing to the transformation of
raw data into meaningful information. Here are the six key stages of data processing:
1. Data Collection:
 Description: The first stage involves gathering raw data from various sources.
This can include manual data entry, surveys, databases, or other means of data
acquisition.
 Example: Collecting sales data from point-of-sale systems.
2. Data Preparation:
 Description: Raw data often needs to be cleaned and formatted for further
processing. This stage involves organizing and structuring the data to ensure
accuracy and consistency.
 Example: Removing duplicate entries or correcting errors in a dataset.
3. Data Input:
 Description: In this stage, the cleaned and formatted data is input into a computer
system. This can involve manual data entry, automated data feeds, or other
methods of transferring data into a processing environment.
 Example: Inputting customer information into a database.
4. Data Processing:
 Description: This is the core stage where actual processing occurs. Operations
like sorting, filtering, aggregating, and analyzing the data take place, depending
on the specific goals of the processing.
 Example: Calculating average sales, finding maximum values, or conducting
statistical analysis.
5. Data Output:
 Description: Processed data is presented in a meaningful format for users. This
can involve creating reports, charts, graphs, or any other form of output that
communicates the results of the data processing.
 Example: Generating a sales report or visualizing trends in a graph.
6. Data Storage:
 Description: The final stage involves storing the processed data for future use
or reference. This can include archiving data, updating databases, or saving
reports for historical analysis.
  Example: Saving the processed sales data in a database for future comparisons.

TYPES OF DATA PROCESSING

1. Manual Data Processing
Manual data processing involves the use of human effort to perform tasks related to the
collection, organization, and manipulation of data. In this method, individuals
manually input, process, and analyze data without the aid of automated tools or
computer systems. While modern technology has largely shifted data processing to
automated methods, manual data processing is still used in certain situations.

2. EDP(Electronic Data Processing)

Electronic Data Processing (EDP) refers to the use of computer systems and software to
perform various tasks related to the collection, storage, processing, analysis, and
presentation of data. EDP replaces or supplements manual methods of data
processing with automated processes, leveraging the speed and computational
capabilities of electronic devices.

3. Real Time DProcessing

Real-time processing, also known as real-time computing or online processing, refers to
the immediate processing and analysis of data as it is generated or received. In a real-
time system, the processing time is minimal, allowing for nearly instantaneous responses
to inputs. This is crucial in applications where time-sensitive actions or decisions are
required

Example
When a bank customer withdraws a sum of money from his or her account it is vital that
the transaction be processed and the account balance updated as soon as possible, allowing
both the bank and the customer to keep tracks of funds.

4. Batch processing
Batch processing is a method of processing data where tasks are collected, processed,
and executed in groups or batches rather than individually or in real-tim8e. In this
approach, data is gathered, processed, and output is produced in chunks or batches at
scheduled intervals. Batch processing is often used for non-time-sensitive tasks and large-
scale data processing.

Example
Payroll system, billing system and Examination system
 Computer Processing Operation

A computer can perform only the following four operations which enable the computer to carry
out the various data processing activities we have just discussed

(a) Input /Output operation

A computer can accept data (input) from and supply the processed data (output) to a wide
range of input /output devices. These devices such as keyboards, display, screens and
printers make human machine communication possible

10 Examples of Input Devices

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Touchpad
4. Scanner
5. Digital Camera
6. Microphone
7. Joystick
8. Graphic Tablet
9. Touch Screen
10. Webcam

Examples of Output Devices

1. Monitor
2. Printer
3. Headphones
4. Computer Speakers
5. Projector
6. GPS
7. Sound Card
8. Video Card
9. Speech-Generating Device

(b) Calculation and text manipulation operations

Computer circuit perform manipulation on numbers .They are also capable of
manipulating numeric and other symbols used in text with equal efficiency

(c) Logic/comparison operation

A computer also possesses the ability to perform logical operation.
Example :if we compare two items represent by the symbols A and B ,there are only
three possible outcomes (A<B);(A=B) OR (A>B).a computer can perform such
comparisons and depending on the results ,follow a pre-determined path to complete
its work .This ability to compare is an important property of a computer .
(d) Storage and retrieval operations
Both data and program instructions are stored internally in a computer .Once they are
stored in the internal memory they can be called up quickly or retrieved for further
use.

Example of data processing

IDENTIFY APPLICATION SOFTWARE FOR DATA PROCESSING

Data processing has now becoming a very important weapon for the researchers ,this is due to the
reason that whichever we are doing in the research fields especially data collection and many
others we normally deal with raw data ,therefore we need to work with this data in the future use
at this point we need to store clean data and readable ones by the computer system .Therefore there
are many Data Processing software’s which can help us or assist as to perform data processing in
an appropriate way as they are mentioned bellow:

There are various application software tools designed for data processing across different
domains and industries. Here are some common types of application software used for data
processing:
1. Microsoft Excel:
 Description: A spreadsheet program that is widely used for data entry, analysis,
and visualization. It is suitable for small to medium-scale data processing tasks.
 2. Google Sheets:
 Description: An online spreadsheet program similar to Microsoft Excel,
allowing collaborative data processing and analysis in real-time.
3. Apache Hadoop:web Server that process request
 Description: An open-source framework for distributed storage and processing
of large datasets. It is commonly used for big data processing.
4. SQL Databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server):
 Description: Relational database management systems that facilitate data storage,
retrieval, and processing through Structured Query Language (SQL).
5. Microsoft Access:
 Description: A database management system that provides tools for data entry,
querying, reporting, and simple application development.
6. Python (with Pandas, NumPy, and other libraries):
 Description: Python is a versatile programming language often used for data
processing. Libraries like Pandas and NumPy offer powerful tools for data
manipulation and analysis.
7. R Programming:
 Description: R is a programming language and environment specifically designed
for statistical computing and data analysis.
8. IBM SPSS:
 Description: Statistical software used for data analysis, hypothesis testing, and
predictive modeling.
9. SAS (Statistical Analysis System):
 Description: Software suite used for advanced analytics, business intelligence,
and data management.
These applications cater to different aspects of data processing, including data entry, storage,
analysis, visualization, and reporting. The choice of software depends on the specific requirements
of the task at hand and the preferences of the users or organizations involved.
PROCESSING DATA USING APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Processing data using application software involves using specialized programs to perform
various operations on raw data, transforming it into meaningful information. The specific steps
and tools used depend on the type of data processing required and the application software being
used. Let's go through a general process:

Using Microsoft Excel for Data Processing:

1. Data Entry:
 Open Microsoft Excel and input your raw data into a spreadsheet.
2. Data Cleaning:
 Identify and clean any errors or inconsistencies in the data, such as missing values or
typos.
3. Formulas and Functions:
 Use Excel formulas and functions to perform calculations and manipulate data. For
example, use SUM, AVERAGE, IF statements, etc.
4. Sorting and Filtering:
 Arrange data in a desired order and filter out specific information using Excel's sorting
and filtering features.
5. PivotTables and Charts:
 Create PivotTables to summarize and analyze data. Generate charts and graphs for visual
representation.
6. Data Analysis Tools:
 Utilize Excel's built-in data analysis tools for more advanced statistical analysis if
needed.
7. Save and Share:
 Save the processed data in a suitable format (e.g., Excel workbook) and share it with
others.
Consider bellow how data can be processed using application software the process will be
described using Microsoft Excel as one of the Data Processing software .Therefore each step must
be followed so that you may prepare well you data so that the process (Data Processing) can be
done .

Data Processing Using Excel 2016

i. Our starting point is a text file which may have been produced or output by another
application such as a database. Excel has the facility to read a wide range of file formats.
In this case the file is a ‘tab delimited’ text file. This means that each data item is
terminated or ‘delimited’ with a tab. To read in the file click on the Office button and
choose Open
ii. Open Excel, click on the Data tab and select ‘From Text’ within the ‘Get External Data’
section. Click on the file called ‘File 1 original format’ and click Open this starts the
Text
Import Wizard which will guide you through importing the data. Excel will recognise
that the file is a delimited file so you can click ‘Next’. The next screen gives you an
indication as to how the data will be imported and how it will be located in columns.
Again, the defaults are appropriate so click ‘Next’

iii. The next step allows you define the format of each column. It’s quite simple to change
these formats once the data has been imported so it’s fine to accept the defaults as
identified by Excel. The dates in the two rightmost columns will be identified as dates
and imported correctly.
iv. Now that the data is imported it remains to adjust the column widths so that the
information is displayed properly and apply some formatting to the different columns
to improve the legibility.
As shown in Fig above numeric values or dates that are too wide to be displayed within a given
column width is shown as a series of ######. To adjust the width of column N double-click on
the dividing line between columns N and O and then between columns O and P.
v. Before continuing adjust all the column widths so that the headings for each column
as fully visible. To optimize the width of all columns
1. Click on the point where the row and column headings intersect as shown below.
This has the effect of selecting all columns in the worksheet.
2. Double-click on the dividing line between any two columns and this will adjust the
width of all columns to accommodate their content

Data Types & Data Formats Use the File1 workbook

Our starting point is a data file with no formatting. When you type digits into a cell they are
recognized as a number and stored just as you typed them. If you enter an alphabetic text it is
recognized as merely text. Usually, text is aligned to the left. Usually numbers are aligned to the
right of the cell. If you type in numbers and text which have the form of a date (or time), it is
actually stored by Excel as the number of days since 1st January 1900. Sometimes the appearance
of dates that you type in will be automatically formatted by Excel. For example, 12 January 2004
may be displayed as 12-Jan-04. If you type 1-10 it will be interpreted as 1-Oct (of the current year).
To make a cell display exactly what is typed into it, you can format it as ‘text’. How data is stored
and how it is displayed can be quite different and there are formatting options to control how it is
presented on-screen.
You can apply one of many ‘formats’ to a cell, a range of cells or even an entire row or column.
You can do this to cells already containing data or before any data is entered
Prepare Statistical Data using Application Software
Now from the above procedure consider the following

The above is the raw data obtained after data collection .Then the data are now being converted
into a meaningful information (readable formats) after performing a comprehensive data
processing of the given raw data
ANALYSIS