Data Processing Life Cycle

1.3 Data Processing Life Cycle

Data processing life cycle is a collection of steps required to convert data into information. Basically, there are three steps in this cycle:

·         Input

·         Process

·         Output

                There are many other steps, which are related to these three basic steps. The complete data processing cycle is as follows:

1.     Collection

In this step, the raw facts are collected from different sources.

2.     Classification

Collected data is classified into different categories in this step. For example, in a college, data of students and the data of teachers will be classified in two different categories.

3.     Input

In this step, the collected data is given to the computer as input for processing.

4.     Verification

The data give to the computer should be verified to make sure that it is correct and valid for processing. For example, we should verify that marks of a student’s are numeric.

5.     Coding

The data stored in a computer in binary form. This step converts the input data into binary form to store it in the computer.

6.     Storing

In this step, the data is stored in the computer. Different storage Medias are used to store the data like hard disks and tapes etc.

7.     Sorting

Sometimes, it is easier to process data if it is stored. In this step, the data is arranged in a particular sequence. For example, the data of the students may be sorted by marks.

8.     Processing

In this step, all types of required processing is applied on data. Different calculations and functions and used to convert data into the required information. For example, the data of all students in a college is stored in computer. We may need the following information:

·         A list of all students who got 1^st division in the examination

·         A list of all students who didn’t submit their dues

·         Average marks of all classes etc.

                This information can be obtained from stored data by applying different processing.

9.     Summarizing

In this step, a large amount of data is processed to represent it in a summarized form. Only summary of the data can be used instead of complete data. People deposit their money daily in a bank. We can process the amount to show total profit of bank in a specific month.

10.  Output

The basic purpose of data processing is to generate new information from the data. In this step, the processed data is displayed to the users. We can display the information on monitor or printer. This new information can also be stored on disks for future use.

11. Retrieval

If we store the output on a storage media like disks, we can retrieve it at any time. For example, the details of bank transactions are stored on disks and can be used later.

12.  Conversion

The information can be converted into different forms like charts, graphs etc. For example, the average marks of all classes can be represented graphically in a chart. This converted form of information is easy to understand.

13.  Communication

In this step, the information is sent to different places where it is required. For example, the result of the student is sent to the student’s home. Here the information really becomes meaningful. A student can improve his studies by checking his result.

14.  Feedback

In this step, we take the comments of different users about the data processing system and its output. This feedback is very important to improve the data processing system.