PROCESSING DATA

TRANSFORMING DATA INTO

INFORMATION
HOW COMPUTER REPRESENTS DATA?

• All data in computers is represented with numbers. When we type on a

keyboard to write a document, the computer is not storing the symbols
themselves but rather numbers that represent those symbols. At their very
core, computers use only 1‘s and 0‘s (binary) to process data and represent
numbers.
HOW COMPUTER REPRESENTS DATA?
• To a computer, everything is a number. Numbers are numbers; letters and
punctuation marks are numbers; sounds and pictures are numbers. Even the
computer‘s instructions are numbers. When you see letters of the alphabet on
a computer screen, you see just one of the computer‘s ways of representing
numbers.
BINARY NUMBERS

• In a computer, all data is represented by the state of the computer‘s electronic switches.
A switch has only two possible states –on and off—so it can mean only two numeric
values. To a computer, when a switch is off, it represents a zero (0); 92 when a switch is
on, it means a one (1). Because there are only two values, the computer functions in
base 2.
• Binary numbers are made of bits. A bit represents a switch. A byte comprises 8 bits and
represents one character. With one byte, the computer can mean one of 256 different
symbols or characters because the eight 1s and 0s in a byte can be combined in 256
different ways.
HOW IS AN IMAGE STORED ON A
COMPUTER?

• An image is a matrix of pixel values. Virtually, every image can be

represented as a matrix of pixel values.
TEXT CODES

• The text codes are standard codes necessary for data transfer, like converting
letters into binary. The famous text code systems are the following: ASCII;
Extended ASCII; and Unicode
• ASCII - This stands for American Standard for Information Interchange. Today, the
ASCII character set is by far the most commonly used in computers for all types.
• Extended ASCII - This is an eight-bit code that specifies the character for values from
128 to 255. The first 40 symbols represent pronunciation and particular punctuation. The
remaining signs are graphic symbols.
• Unicode - This provides up to four bytes – 32 bits – to represent each letter, number, or
symbol. With four bytes, enough Unicode codes can be created to represent more than 4
billion different characters or symbols. This total is enough for every unique character
and symbol in the world, including the vast Chinese, Korean, and Japanese character sets
HOW COMPUTERS PROCESS DATA

• Two components handle processing in a computer: the Central Processing

Unit (CPU) and the memory. Both are located on the computer‘s
motherboard. The memory is called RAM, random access memory, which is
a volatile memory. Both are performing processes to achieve data
transformation and instruction execution.
• In order to process data, a computer employs both hardware as well as
software in the four functions: Input, Process, Output and Storage
TYPES OF DATA PROCESSING ON BASIS OF
PROCESS/STEPS PERFORMED
• Batch processing
• Real-time processing
• Online processing
• Distributed processing
• Multiprocessing
• Time-sharing
• Batch processing
BATCH PROCESSING

• Batch processing is one of the widely used types of data processing, which is also
known as serial/sequential, tacked/queued of offline processing. The fundamental of
this type of processing is that different jobs of different users are processed in the order
received. Once the stacking of jobs is complete, they are provided/sent for processing
while maintaining the same order. This processing of a large volume of data helps in
reducing the processing cost, thus making it data processing economical.
• Batch Processing is a method where the information to be organized is sorted into
groups to allow for efficient and sequential processing
ONLINE PROCESSING

• The online processing method is a part of the automatic processing method. This
method, at times, known as direct or random-access processing. Under this method,
the job received by the system is processed at the same time as receiving. This can be
considered and often mixed with real-time processing. This system features random
and rapid input of transaction, and user-defined/ demanded direct access to
databases/content when needed.
• This is a method that utilizes Internet connections and equipment directly attached to a
computer. This allows for the data stored in one place and being used at an altogether
different location. Cloud computing can be considered as an example that uses this
type of processing. It is primarily used for information recording and research.
REAL-TIME PROCESSING

• This is required where the results are displayed immediately or at the lowest time possible. The data
fed to the software is used almost instantaneously for processing purposes. The nature of the
processing of this type of data processing requires the use of an internet connection, and data is
stored/used online. No lag is expected/acceptable in this type, and receiving and processing of the
transaction is carried out simultaneously. This method is costly than batch processing, as the
hardware and software capabilities are better.
• This technique can respond almost immediately to various signals to acquire and process
information. These involve high maintenance and upfront cost attributed to exceptionally advanced
technology and computing power. Time saved is maximum in this case as the output is seen in real-
time. An example is banking transactions.
DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING

• This method is commonly utilized by remote workstations connected to one

big central workstation or server. ATMs are good examples of this data
processing method. All the end machines run on fixed software located at a
particular place and make use of precisely the same information and sets of
instructions
MULTI-PROCESSING

• Multi-processing perhaps is the most widely used type of data processing. It is used almost
everywhere and forms the basis of all computing devices relying on processors. Multi-
processing makes use of many parallel CPUs, which have two or more CPUs. The task or sets
of operations are divided between CPUs available simultaneously, thus increasing efficiency
and throughput. The breakdown of jobs that need to be performed is sent to different CPUs
working parallel within the mainframe. The result and benefit of this type of processing are
reducing the time required and increasing the output.
• Moreover, CPUs work independently as they are not dependent on other CPU; failure of one
CPU does not result in halting the complete process as the additional CPUs continue to work.
TIME-SHARING

• The time-based use of CPU is the core of this data processing type. Multiple
users use a single CPU. All users share the same CPU, but the time allocated
to all users might differ. The processing takes place at different intervals for
different users as per allotted time. Since multiple users can use this type, it
is also referred to as a multi-access system. This is done by providing a
terminal for their link to the main CPU, and the time available is calculated
by dividing the CPU time between all the public users as scheduled.
MACHINE CYCLES

• Each time the CPU executes an instruction, it takes a series of steps. The
completed sequence of steps is called the machine cycle. The actions
performed by the computer processor for each machine language instruction
received. The machine cycle is a four process cycle that includes reading and
interpreting the machine language, executing the code, and then storing that
code.
MEMORY

• is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be processed and

instructions required for processing are stored. The memory is divided into
large number of small parts called cells. Each location or cell has a unique
address, which varies from zero to memory size minus one.
• Memory is primarily of three types: Cache Memory; Primary Memory/main
memory; and Secondary Memory.
CACHE MEMORY

• is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the CPU. It
acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory. It is used to hold
those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the CPU.
The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk to cache
memory by the operating system, from where the CPU can access them.
PRIMARY MEMORY (MAIN MEMORY)

• holds only those data and instructions on which the computer is currently
working. It has a limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched
off. It is generally made up of semiconductor device. These memories are not
as fast as registers. The data and instruction required to be processed resides
in the main memory. It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.
SECONDARY MEMORY

• This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. It is

slower than the main memory. These are used for storing data/information
permanently. CPU directly does not access these memories, instead they are
accessed via input-output routines. The contents of secondary memories are
first transferred to the main memory, and then the CPU can access it.
VOLATILE VS. NON-VOLATILE MEMORY

• Volatile memory is a memory that loses its contents when the computer or
hardware device loses power. Computer RAM is an example of volatile
memory. It is why if your computer freezes or reboots when working on a
program, you lose anything that hasn't been saved.
• Non-volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as NVRAM, is a memory that
keeps its contents even if the power is lost
REFERENCES

• Buckley, D. (2023, July 11). Understanding how computers represent data. GameDev Academy.
https://gamedevacademy.org/data-representation-tutorial/
• Mallari, L. S., Bayonito, Dr. J. R., Tansinsin, M., Tiongson, Ms. L. M., & Ribot, R. (2020). Basic
operations and Components of a Computer System. In IT 102 Introduction to Computing (pp.
89–110). E-book.
• How does a computer process data into information - javatpoint. www.javatpoint.com. (n.d.).
https://www.javatpoint.com/how-does-a-computer-process-data-into-information
• Computer - memory. Tutorialspoint. (n.d.).
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer_memory.htm