What is data? DATA is raw facts and figures. These have very little meaning until they are sorted or they are used to make calculations. The process of sorting or calculating data is called DATA PROCESSING. The result of data processing is INFORMATION.

Data Processing Data is processed Data Information

Information INFORMATION is the meaning that we attach to data. Without processing or additional information, data is often meaningless.

Information For example: What does the number 29061996 mean? Is it: A birthday? (29th June 1996) A bank account number? A club membership number? A telephone number? Without processing or more information this data is meaningless.

The three stages of doing tasks Input Process Output Data is put into the information system. (INPUT) The data is processed. (PROCESS) Information comes out of the information system. (OUTPUT)

Manual information systems We are all used to using manual information systems. An example of a manual information system is a telephone directory.

Manual information systems All we need to know to find a person’s telephone number in the telephone book is their name and address. (INPUT) We look up the name and the address (PROCESS), and we find their telephone number. (OUTPUT)

Manual information systems Input Process Output Have the name and address. (INPUT) Look up the name and address. (PROCESS) Find the telephone number. (OUTPUT)

Manual information systems However, if the name is a common one or the address is incomplete, the process of finding the telephone number becomes more difficult. This is because the telephone directory is organised alphabetically by surname, first name, and address.

Manual information systems If you have just the name and telephone number, can the telephone directory be used to find someone’s address? If you have just a telephone number, can the telephone directory be used to find someone’s name and address? Manual information systems do have disadvantages.