LESSON 3:

Processing Data:
Transforming Data
into Information
 INTRODUCTION
Processing data into information is a marvelous wonder of technology gifted
to man. It centered on conveying information and communicates it to the user for
information usefulness benefiting humanity. It is also focused on relevant data storage
processing to be used for the intended purposes. Some examples are bank customers‘
identification and profile, company technology profile, academe‘s instructional materials,
etc.

Information today is vast that everything in our life surrounds by it. Some
people say without information, no one survives. It is right in the sense that a lack of
knowledge (information) can destroy or harm man. The other side of the coin, controlled
and processed information for a useful purpose, can bring lots of benefits to man.

2
 LESSON 3.1 :
TRANSFORMING DATA INTO INFORMATION
Computers cannot understand anything, though they seem that they know us
because we understand the information it produces. Computers recognize
two distinct physical states produced by electricity, magnetic polarity, or
reflected light. Essentially, they understand whether the switch is on or off.
The CPU, which acts as the “brain” of the computer, consists of several million
tiny electronic switches, called transistors. A computer appears to understand
information only because it operates at such phenomenal speeds, grouping its
individual on/off switches into patterns that become meaningful to us.

3
 In computing, data is the term used to describe the information represented
by groups of on/off switches. In the strictest sense, data consist of the raw numbers that
computers organize to produce information. Some of the objectives of data processing
are:

❑ To provide mass storage for relevant data.

❑ To make easy access to the data for the user.

❑ To provide prompt response to user requests for data.

❑ To eliminate redundant data.

❑ To allow multiple users to be active at one time.

❑ To allow for growth in the database system.

❑ To protect the data from harm like physical and unauthorized access.

4
 Some Data Definitions to ponder:
Data bank - a store of a large amount of information, esp. in a form that can be handled
by a computer.
Data capture - any process for converting information into a form that can be handled
by a computer.
Data dictionary – in computing, it is an index of data held in a database and used to
assist in the access to data, also called data directory. 90
Data pen - a device for reading or scanning magnetically coded data on labels, packets,
etc.
Data processing - a sequence of operations performed on data, esp. by a computer, to
extract information, reorder files, etc. When used as a modifier, it is a data-processing
center. It is also mean to safeguards for individuals relating to personal data stored on a
computer.
Data set - another name for a set of computer files.
Data structure - an organized form, such as an array list or string, in which related data
items are held in a computer.

5
 Big Data – a massive collection of digital data whose analysis allows us to predict patterns and
behaviors through inductive reasoning.
Data diddling - fraudulent changing of data before or during entry into the computer system.
Digital archive - virtual storing of data.
Interactive Databases System - is a process of storing data in files based on the interaction
between pieces of data.
Cyber Terrorism - the attack on computers, networks, and interconnected infrastructures with
the intent to intimidate or coerce a national, international, groups of people or organizations in
furtherance of political, social, or personal objectives.
Digital Footprints - is a track left by users in the form of data in the process of transmission of
information online.
Digital world - an electric spectrum of data creation, storing, retrieving, and synchronizing.
Doxxing - publishing personal data about people, especially on the internet, to threaten or
blackmail them. Other terms for Doxxing is cyber bullying with a threat of blackmail.
Software proposal - a detail-oriented document clearly outlining the objectives of the project
like technical, terms, and financial aspects of the software project. These software proposals
help Business Professionals to automate routine tasks. 91
Software piracy - intentional copy and use of a software product without the permission of its
owner.
6
 LESSON 3.2 :
How Computers 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. For example, consider the word G R O W.
This word may look like a string of alphabetic
characters to you, but to a computer, it seems like a
string of ones and zeros as shown in the figure :

7
 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, which is also
known as the binary number system.

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.

8
 LESSON 3.3 :
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. An image below shows how pictures transform into ASCII codes and then to bits readable by
the computer.

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:

1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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.

9
 How Data Is Represented In the Computer
To include strings, integers, characters, and colors. This should consist of considering the
space taken by data, for instance, the relation between the hexadecimal representation of colors and
the number of colors available.

✓ Integer - Each integer is represented in binary, where a single number will usually be
expressed in one byte.

✓ Characters - Each character is usually one byte (8 bits), represented in binary

✓ Unicode - It is a standardization of assigning values to a specific character this is
needed as there are hundreds of different characters in different languages. If done by
each community, there would likely be overlaps.

✓ Strings - Strings are a concatenation of characters and were represented in binary, as

each 8-bit character following each other. Each word will be around 16-32 bits.

✓ Colors - Colors are represented in the hexadecimal number system. It will be six
hexadecimal values 2 for each prime color, in the order of Red, Green, Blue (RGB.)

10
 LESSON 3.4 :
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.

✓ CPU or Central Processing Unit - The CPU is the ―brain‖ of the computer, the place where data is
manipulated. In the average computer, the entire CPU is a single unit, called a microprocessor. Every
CPU has at least two essential parts: the Control Unit and the Arithmetic Logic Unit.

✓ Control Unit - All the computer‘s resources are managed from the control unit The CPU‘s instructions
for carrying out commands are built into the control unit.

✓ Arithmetic and Logic Unit - Computers can perform two types of operations: arithmetic operations and
logical operations. The arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Logical operations include comparisons, such as determining whether one number is equal to, greater
than, or less than another number.
11
12
 Types of Data Processing on Basis of Steps Performed
Several methods and techniques can be adopted for processing data depending upon the
requirements, time availability, software, and hardware capability of the technology being used for data
processing. There are several types of data processing methods.
1. Batch Processing - Batch Processing is a method where the information to be organized is sorted into
groups to allow for efficient and sequential processing.
2. Real-time processing – this method is used for carrying out real-time processing. This is required
where the results are displayed immediately or at the lowest time possible
3. 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.
4. Distributed Processing - This method is commonly utilized by remote workstations connected to one
big central workstation or server.
5. Multiprocessing - 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.
6. Time-sharing - The time-based use of CPU is the core of this data processing type. Multiple users use
a single CPU.
7. Batch Processing - is a software and hardware technique in which an Operating System, in batch
events, gather the programs and data together in a batch before any software processing starts.

13
 Data Processing System
IT system is a combination of machines and people that, for a set of inputs, produces a
defined group of outputs. The inputs and outputs are interpreted as data, facts, information, depending on
the interpreter‘s relation to the system. A system may involve some combination of:

✓ Conversion - is converting data to another format.

✓ Validation – Ensuring that supplied data is “clean, correct, and useful”.

✓ Sorting – “arranging items in some sequence and/or at different sets”.

✓ Summarization – reducing detail data to its main points.

✓ Aggregation – combining multiple pieces of data.

✓ Analysis – the “collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data”.

✓ Reporting – list detail or summary data or computed information.

✓ Presentation – data presentation helps make decisions

14
 LESSON 3.5 :
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.

Four Steps of Machine Cycle

1. Fetch - Retrieve an instruction from memory.

2. Decode - Translate the retrieved instruction into a series of computer commands.

3. Execute - Execute the computer commands.

4. Store - Send and write the results back in memory.

15
 LESSON 3.6 :
Computer Memories
Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily, like RAM (random access
memory), or permanently, like ROM (read only memory). Memory devices utilize integrated circuits and are used by
operating systems, software, and hardware.

WHAT DOES COMPUTER MEMORY LOOK LIKES?

figure is an example of a 512 MB DIMM RAM

computer memory module. A memory module is a
circuit board that contains DRAM integrated circuits
that are installed into the memory slot on a
computer motherboard. This memory module
connects to the memory slot on a computer
motherboard

16
 VOLATILE VS. NON-VOLATILE MEMORY
Memory can be either volatile or 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. Non-volatile memory, sometimes abbreviated as NVRAM, is a memory that keeps its
contents even if the power is lost. EPROM is an example of non-volatile memory. EPROM means Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory.

What Happens to Memory When The Computer Is Turned Off?

As mentioned above, because RAM is volatile memory, when the computer loses power,
anything stored in RAM is lost. For example, while working on a document, it is stored in RAM. If it were
saved to non-volatile memory, e.g., the hard drive, it would be lost if the computer lost power.

Memory Is Not Only A Disk Storage

Although both the hard drive and RAM are memory, it's more appropriate to refer to RAM as
"memory" or "primary memory" and a hard drive as "storage" or "secondary storage."

17
 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MEMORIES
A primary storage device is a medium that holds a memory for short periods while a
computer is running. Alternatively referred to as external memory, secondary memory, and auxiliary
storage, a secondary storage device is a non-volatile device that holds data until it is deleted or
overwritten. Secondary storage is about two orders of magnitude cheaper than primary storage.

HOW IS MEMORY USED?

When a program, such as your Internet browser, is open, it is loaded from your hard drive and
placed into RAM. This process allows that program to communicate with the processor at higher speeds.
Anything you save to your computers, such as a picture or video, is sent to your hard drive for storage.

WHY IS MEMORY IMPORTANT OR NEEDED FOR A COMPUTER?

Each device in a computer operates at different speeds, and computer memory gives your
computer a place to access data quickly. If the CPU had to wait for a secondary storage device, like a hard
disk drive, a computer would be much slower.

18
 TYPES OF MEMORY
ROM – Read-only memory. ROM has three categories:
PROM – Programmable read-only memory
EPROM – Erasable Programmable read-only memory
EEPROM – Electrically Erasable read-only memory
RAM – Random Access Memory. There are six types of RAM:
EDO RAM - Short for Extended Data Out, and alternatively referred to as hyper page
mode memory, EDO is a type of memory developed in 1995 by Micron and was first
used with Pentium computers.
SDRAM - SDRAM, which is short for Synchronous DRAM, is a type of memory that
synchronizes itself with the computer's system clock.
DDR RAM - Short for double data rate, DDR is a memory that was first introduced in
1996 and has since been replaced by DDR2.
DDR2 RAM - Short for double data rate two, DDR2 is the second generation of DDR
memory that was released in September 2003.
DDR3 RAM - Short for double data rate three, DDR3 is a type of DRAM (dynamic
random-access memory) released in June 2007 as the successor to DDR2.
DDR4 RAM - Short for double data rate four, DDR4 is a type of system memory
known as SDRAM and was released in September 2014 as the successor to DDR3.
19
 The Difference Between SIMM and DIMM
SIMM

Short for the single in-line memory module, SIMM is a memory module developed by
Wang Laboratories in 1983. The SIMM circuit board that holds six to nine memory chips
per board.

DIMM

Short for the dual in-line memory module, DIMM is a module containing a circuit board
and one more random access memory chips. DIMMs can be installed one at a time,
unlike SIMMs that would require installation in pairs.

SO-DIMM

which is short for small outline dual in-line memory module, is available in both a 72-
pin and 144-pin configuration. SO-DIMMs are commonly utilized in laptop computers.
20
 THANKS!
STAY SAFE EVERYONE!
You can find me at:
https://fb.com/aswaggero and
[email protected]

21