Basics of Data and Information

Data, information, data processing, Data processing in detail.

Data

Raw facts and figures collected for any purpose is called data. Unprocessed information is called data. Chunks of incomplete information are called data. Raw means unprepared (just collected), incomplete (that can be improved, some deficiencies are still there). That can not be used for making decisions in any business, industry, educational institute. For example we have collected data of some students to prepare their results in semester final exam. We have roll number, name, class, gender, and marks obtained in different subject on award list. This type of collection to prepare result is called data. Data is also called input, source.

Information

Processed data in called information. Such data that has clear, proper, complete, understandable meaning and can be used for making correct results is called information.  We apply different functions on data so data becomes useful, understandable for every one.  Data is collected but information is prepared from the contents of data. Information is also called output, result, report, target.

Data Processing

A process that translates data into information is called data processing. Data processing is set of steps that must be applied on data to convert it into useful information. Data after collection can not be used directly for any purpose. it must require some processing and arrangement. These steps are decided keeping in view the desired output or information. These steps are very important for preparing useful information. Making useful or desired information is very important after collection of data. After collection of student personal information and marks obtained we have to calculate the Grand Total, then we have to calculate percentage and grade or pass and fail from the list of students. We are applying some data processing steps on our data to calculate result. Some of these major steps are classification, sorting, calculating, formatting.

Classification means we separate our data and arrange it in required way. We can classify our data gender wise, session wise, city wise, address wise, semester wise, class & level of study wise, section wise, morning & evening shift wise. Classification is very important step to arrange our data in such a way that is more useful for making decisions.

Sorting is a process of arranging our data in desired order. We sort our data according to our requirements. After classification of data we have to sort our data. We have to sort students in a semester that the top 3 students from each class will appear on top of the result or we want to sort grade wise that F grade will be on the top or bottom of the report. We can sort our data by name or by roll number or in ascending (a-z)/descending (z-a) order.

Calculation/Totaling/Sub Totaling

After the arrangement of data we must have to calculate or count all the values. We have to calculate total of sale brand wise or grand total at the end of sale invoice. We can calculate GPA (Grade Point Average) semester wise then we have to calculate CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) at the end of whole course. We apply different formulas on our data to calculate our desired results; calculation is the most important part of data processing.

Formatting & Printing

After completing all the necessary steps we make our formatting final for printing. We arrange our data horizontally or vertically to print on page. it depends on the number of fields columns. We have to prominent some values that can be visible very easily. Conditional formatting is applied for this purpose. We insert page number, heading, printing date, titles properly on the reports to print.

Information Technology,  the benefits of I.T. benefit from the I.T Industry

I.T is the combination of 2 terms. Communication and Computing. Communication means the transmission and interpretation of our messages from one location to another location or one computer to another computer by using fastest communication channel like broad band internet, fiber optic, infrared, satellite communication stations.

            Computing is the process of creating, saving our data electronically. It is the way to save our documents/files in computer based record keeping system instead of paper based record keeping system. We use computer and computer based applications to save our records in computers. Different software packages are used to make our data processing more easy and effective.

            These two terms communications and computing are combined together to generate a new term called Information Technology. There are some commonly used benefits of I.T are as CBT(Computer Based Training), CAL(Computer Aided Learning), CAD(Computer Aided Design), CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) CAI (Computer Aided Instructions), B2B(Business to Business Solutions), B2C(Business to Consumer), C2C(Customer to Consumer or Customer to Customer), E-Commerce, M-Commerce, Artificial Intelligence, Information Engineering.

            Information is very vital source for the improvement of any situation, but information should be promptly transmitted to the desired location to get its benefits. Today due to the advancement in communication channels information can be exchanged very easily and quickly from any place. Different companies are providing communication services for the benefit of the society. Internet is playing very important role in communication of information. Today electronic media is playing such an important role to spread information about any thing all over the world.

              All the banks, universities, different industries are using CBIT (Computer Based Information Technology) to get the benefits of this technology. Computer can perform many tasks quickly and easily as compared with humans. They can perform many complex calculations very easily. They can design many things with accurate and perfect way. it can perform many tasks simultaneously. it saves our lot of time. it provides us accurate results. We can easily share data, files, resources at different places. Due to this facility many customers/clients/users can be facilitated at the same time in banks, university admission, result processing and attendance of employs in industries.

             This paper less technology has so many benefits. Due to the benefit of electronic features, the data can be easily and very swiftly transmitted by using electronic signals. It is only possible due to the advancement in electronic media. Information can be retrieved from various sources and can be published at different channels.  Electronic data can be easily duplicated. These copies of duplicate data can be used for modifications and can be saved at different places with different file names.