Page 9 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES
P. 9
Exposure to Computer Disciplines
Notes 1.1 Transforming Data into Information
This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information. Similarly
the output produced by the computer after processing must also be kept somewhere inside the
computer before being given to you in human readable form. Again the output is also stored
inside the computer for further processing. Basic computer operation need to be understood first
in order to know about data processing. Figure 1.1, shows basic operation units of computer.
Figure 1.1: Basic Computer Operation
Information, thus can be defined as “data that has been transformed into a meaningful and
useful form for specific purposes”. In some cases data may not require any processing before
constituting information. However, generally, data is not useful unless it is subjected to a
process through which it is manipulated and organised, its contents analyzed and evaluated.
Only then data becomes information. There is no hard and fast rule for determining when
data becomes information. A set of letters and numbers may be meaningful to one person,
but may have no meaning to another. Information is identified and defined by its users. For
example, when you purchase something in a departmental store, a number of data items are
put together, such as your name, address articles you bought, the number of items purchased,
the price, the tax and the amount you paid. Separately, these are all data items but if you put
these items together, they represent information about a business transaction.
1.1.1 Functional Units
The computer system is divided into three separate units for its operation. They are:
1. Arithmetic logical unit.
2. Control unit.
3. Central processing unit.
1.1.1.1 Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)
After you enter data through the input device it is stored in the primary storage unit. The actual
processing of the data and instruction are performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit. The major
operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and
comparison . Data is transferred to ALU from storage unit when required. After processing the
output is returned back to storage unit for further processing or getting stored.
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