UNIT 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.1. Data & Information

1.2. Information need and benefits
1.3. Input, Processing , Output and feedback
 1.1 Data & Information
 The frequency of the use of the words data
and information are very high in our daily
lives. Depending on the context the
meanings and use of these words differ.
 Both data and information are types of
knowledge or something used to attain
knowledge. Though used interchangeably,
there are many differences between the
meanings of these two words.
Data:
 data is raw.
 It simply exists and has no
significance beyond its existence (in
and of itself).
 It can exist in any form, usable or not.
 It does not have meaning of itself.
 In computer parlance, a spreadsheet
generally starts out by holding data.
 The examples of data can be
 Facts
 Analysis
 Statistics
 In computer terms, symbols, characters,
images, or numbers are data
Information:
 information is data that has been given
meaning by way of relational
connection.
 This "meaning" can be useful, but does
not have to be.
 In computer terms, a relational
database makes information from the
data stored within it.
 Information can be a mental stimulus,
perception, representation, knowledge,
or even an instruction.
 Information can be explained as any kind
of understanding or knowledge that can
be exchanged with people.
 It can be about facts, things, concepts,
or anything relevant to the topic
concerned.
 DATA vs INFORMATION
 If data is at the lowest level in the
series, information is placed at the
next step.
 As an example, if you have a list on
the Seven Wonders of the World, that
is a data; if you have a book giving
details about each wonder, it is
information.
 Data can be in the form of numbers,
characters, symbols, or even
pictures. A collection of these data
which conveys some meaningful idea
is information. It may provide answers
to questions like who, which, when,
why, what, and how.
 The raw input is data and it has no
significance when it exists in that
form. When data is collated or
organized into something meaningful,
it gains significance. This meaningful
organization is information.
Knowledge
 Knowledge is the appropriate
collection of information, such that its
intent is to be useful.
 Knowledge is a deterministic process.
 When someone "memorizes"
information, then they have amassed
knowledge.
 For example, elementary school
children memorize, or amass
knowledge of, the "times table". They
can tell you that "2 x 2 = 4“
 But when asked what is "1267 x 300",
they can not respond correctly because
that entry is not in their times table.
Understanding
 Understanding is an interpolative and
probabilistic process.
 It is mental process of knowing and
analytical.
 It is the process by which we can take
knowledge and synthesize new
knowledge from the previously held
knowledge.
Wisdom
 Wisdom is an analytical and non-
probabilistic process.
 It calls upon all the previous levels of
awareness, and specifically upon
special types of human programming
(moral, ethical codes, etc.).
Relation between Data, information,
knowledge and understanding:

 Data represents a fact or statement of

event without relation to other things.
 Ex: It is raining.
 Information embodies the
understanding of a relationship of
some sort, possibly cause and effect.
 Ex: The temperature dropped 15
degrees and then it started raining.
 Knowledge represents a pattern that
connects and generally provides a high
level of predictability as to what is
described or what will happen next.
 Ex: If the humidity is very high and
the temperature drops substantially
the atmospheres is Often unlikely to be
able to hold the moisture so it rains.
 Wisdom embodies more of an understanding of
fundamental principles embodied within the
knowledge that are essentially the basis for the
knowledge being what it is. Wisdom is
essentially systemic.
 Ex: It rains because it rains. And this
encompasses an understanding of all the
interactions that happen between raining,
evaporation, air currents, temperature
gradients, changes, and raining.
 “Information systems (IS) is the study of
complementary networks of hardware
and software that people and
organizations use to collect, filter,
process, create, and distribute data
1.2. Information need and benefits
1. The value of information is directly
linked to how it helps decision makers
achieve the organization’s goals discuss
why it is important to study and
understand information systems
2. Distinguish data from information
and describe the characteristics used to
evaluate the quality of Computers and
information systems are constantly
making it possible for organizations to
improve the way they conduct business
3. Name the components of an
information system and describe several
system characteristics Knowing the
potential impact of information systems
and having the ability to put this
knowledge to work can result in a
successful personal career, organizations
that reach their goals, and a society with a
higher quality of life
4. List the components of a computer-
based information system
5. Identify the basic types of business
information systems and discuss who
uses them, how they are used, and what
kinds of benefits they deliver
6. System users, business managers,
and information systems professionals
must work together to build a successful
information system.
7. Identify the major steps of the
systems development process and
state the goal of each Information
systems must be applied thoughtfully
and carefully so that society, business,
and industry can reap their enormous
benefits.
 8. To describe some of the threats to
security and privacy that information
systems and the Internet can pose
9. To discuss the expanding role and
benefits of information systems in
business and industry
 Characteristics of Valuable
Information
 Accurate  Verifiable
 Complete  Accessible
 Economical  Secure
 Flexible
 Reliable
 Relevant
 Simple
 Timely
1.3. Input, Processing, Output, Feedback
 Inputs are anything that you put into
a system. For a computer the input
can be from the user via a keyboard or
gaming controller, you can also get
input from usb sticks or cd's
essentially anything that goes into
your computer or system.
 The process is what the system does
with these inputs. Again with the
computer example it takes in what you
press on the keyboard or joystick to
say controll an action in the game.
 Output is anything that like goes out
of the system. For example your
computer monitor is an output device
and so are stuff like speakers, printer
a usb stick can also be an output
device if you put something on it
essentially anything that goes out of
the system.
 In short,
 Input: activity of gathering and capturing raw
data
 Processing: converting or transforming data
into useful outputs
 Output: production of useful information,
usually in the form of documents and reports
 Feedback: output that is used to make
changes to input or processing activities
 Manual and Computerized
Information System
 Manual information systems, where
people use simple tools such as pencils
and paper, or even machines such as
calculators and typewriters.
 Computer-based information systems
that rely on a variety of computer
systems to accomplish their information
processing activities.