2-10 Data & Information cont.

3. Processing Data

What is processing?

Processing is the work that a computer does to the data to convert it into information  This could include calculations,  sorts or even quires. It could also be used in sounds to alter the pitch or wave length.

What is information?

Data must be processed for it to turn into information, therefore computers are examples of data-processing machines. Information itself is data that has been processed into something meaningful. This could range from simple tasks like a calculation to producing detailed graphs of a companies sales & expenses. 

4. Quality Information

What makes information valuable?

Information can be brought and sold otherwise known as a commodity, because of this information has a potential value.

The value of information depends on some factors:

Accuracy

Information on a sales report must be accurate, otherwise any decision based on these figures will be inaccurate  This can hugely affect the running's of a business and therefore must be accurate. To ensure data is accurate it is vital that a method to thoroughly check data is applied along with regular updates to the information.

Up to date

Some information may on have value within a specific time scale, a good examples of this is the price of stock which can change several times within a minute, therefore buying and recommendations have to change very quickly, if the information is out of date then the information holds no value.

Complete

Information that is not complete loses value for instance.

Information produced on a house for insurance purposes must be complete in order for the house to be insured at the correct price.

Reliable sources

Once information is on the internet it is very hard to control, information put up could easily be inaccurate and therefore reduces its value. Because of this it is vital that information is gathered from reliable sources such as the BBC or other well known and trusted sources. 

Relevant

Information only holds value is it has a purpose, its value will also depend on the potential use it has. For examples sales data on employees must show the individual sales of a person so it can be used to calculate a bonus.

2-10 Data & Informatoin

1. Data & Information

ICT systems input data which is processed to convert it to information.

For example:

In some systems data is fed back into the system and modifying it till a desired output is reached. A Good It system will present each person with information that is useful to them in a form that makes it easy to use.

What is data?
Data represents raw facts and figures, for example: 2,3,4,5,6

Types of data.
Data can be in formats such as text and numbers, sound or images. Regardless of the data being imputed the computer processes this data into something called binary, like its very own language. This language consists of 0's & 1's, A single unit in binary is called a 'bit', the term used for a binary digit.

A computers memory is measured in bytes, 1 byte equates to 8 bits, An example of this would be the letter A this is represented in binary form as 01000001, and the letter B would be represented as 01000010.

2. Coding & Encoding

Some data has to be changed before it can be stored, therefore changing it from the original and shortening it into code. Coding is used to save space but it also speeds up data entry. A common example is substituting the word Male or Female for M or F.

Encoding is the computers was of converting data so it can be read by the machine. All computers run off binary, 1's & 0's, however this is very difficult for humans to understand. One way that encoding is used it the form of ASCII which can represent each character in a binary equivalent.

The table below shows a worked example of this:

Other examples of coding & encoding would be Bar codes & ISBN codes for books.

2-9 What is ICT

ICT is the use of technology for the input, processing storage, transfer and output of information

2 - Whats is an IT system?
 This is a procedure that involves, procession & output. A system does not always have to be a virutal system it can be a manual system as well.

3 - What is an ICT system?
This is where the output from the system goes directly to a human being or another ICT system.

4 - Components of ICT systems

The following are examples of compoments in an ICT system:
- People

• No ICT system can work without people being involved. One of the main stages is the analysis, desgin & the implementation of they system (Each linked to the clients requirements)
• After this there will need to be the occasiaonal maintinence

- Data

• This is the Raw facts and figures for examples numbers such as 40,50,34,72 are raw figures or A,C, G,E etc.
• Data is inputed using various hardware devices, the most common is a keyboard. Others could include a Bar-code Scanner, Digital camera or a Microphone.

- Procedures

• For an ICT system to work it requires  procedures. Procedures are a set a series of instructionsv which are conducted in a certain order or manner.
• Examples would be the Data proctection act, Computer misuse act & Copyright.
• Having procedures helps to protect data and can also help in communication such as everyone using the same hardware.

- Software

• Software is a program created to run hardware, meeting the users requirements. The choice of the software implemented by a company would depend on the role it will have for the company. Examples of this would be:
• Word processors
• Webpage designs
• Spreadsheets
• Desktop Publishing

- Hardware

• Hardware is the physical components of a Computer such as the Hardrive. The type of component chosen depends on the needs of the system, for example a supermarket system needs a VDU, visual display unit to show the weight and price of a product to the customer. Specialist output devices such as colour laser printers could be used, or normal peripherals such a keyboard which is an input device.
• There are 5 main hardware types:

• Input devices e.g. Keyboard, Scanner
• Processors e.g. CPU
• Output devices e.g. Printer, Monitor
• Ports & cables e.g. USB Univesal serial bus, Serial
• Storage Devices e.g. Hard drive, CD-RW, Memory sticks

- Information

• The final output of a system is called information. Information is data that has been processed such as a calculation,e.g. 2+2 = 4, 4 is the information  that is outputted by the system.