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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND OPERATIONS
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Lecture 2
Components of Information Processing System
At the end of the topic, the student should be able to:
1. Discus the Components of a computer
2. Distinguish the difference between system software and application software
3. Enumerate the categories of computers
4. Enumerate the types of computer users
Data – is a collection or independent raw facts and figures.
Ex. Numbers, letters, symbols or combination of these
Information – is data that is made meaningful to someone.
Desirable Qualities of Information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Relevance – all of the information supplied must be important to the person receiving it.
Completeness – no vital information should be missed out.
Timeliness – information must be available when in time of need arises.
Accuracy – Correctness or validity of information is necessary because no sound decision is made
of poor information.
Presentable – understandability of information is a function of presentation.
Data Processing – composed of a series of activities responsible for transforming data into information.
Data Processing Concepts
1. The INPUT – PROCESS – OUTPUT (I-P-O) Model
 refers to a conceptual framework wherein input in the form of data or information is
processed which result in the generation of an output basically in the form of information
Data Processing Methods
a.
Manual Data Processing – implies the extend use of manual
labor in the processing of data. Such method is slow and
relatively inaccurate and could not support the rapidly expanding
information requirements.
b. Mechanical Data Processing – involves the use of machines or devices that alter,
transmit and direct applied forces. The advantages are greater computational speed.
c.
Electromechanical Data Processing – involves the use of mechanical
devices with electric motors allowing them to carry out any operation. Ex.
Printers which give a permanent record.
d. Electronic Data Processing – it has superior capacity to
perform computations and other functions at incredible
speeds.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND OPERATIONS
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2. Data Processing Cycle
- the flow of data from the moment it is recorded until the time it becomes a usable piece of
information is traced taking into consideration what is actually done on the data in the process of
transforming it into information.
Origin
ation
Input
Process
Storage
Output
Major Phases of Data Processing Cycle
Origination Phase – involves basic capturing and recording of data. Filling in the form is an
act of data capture. Data are recorded on forms referrer to as source documents.
Ex. Of source documents:
 Sales order, cheque, materials requisition slip, birth certificate
Input Preparation Phase – it is concern with the accuracy and completeness of data to
ensure data integrity.
Three Important Manual Steps or Procedures To Minimize Data Error



Editing – process of selecting significant data and eliminating that, which does
not need to be recorded for processing.
Coding – process that reduces the amount of data to be processed through
the use of a code. A code is a symbolic representation of a thing or a fact and is
comprised of numeric or alphabetic characters.
Verifying – checking the accuracy of data gathered.
Processing Phase – conversion of data into useful and meaningful information.
Kinds of Processes




Classifying – systematically grouping data into classes. Data normally have common
characteristics or attributes.
Sorting – process of physically separating classified data and rearranging these into a
predetermined sequence. It can be numerically or alphabetically, ascending or
descending order.
Calculating – involves arithmetical processes.
Summarizing – process of decreasing the level of details of data. It involves listing or
tabulating data and totaling each list.
Output Preparation Phase – result or information is generated.
Several Ways How Information is provided to the User


Reproduction
Communication – could be transmitted in printed or oral form
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND OPERATIONS
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System
It is a group of organized interdependent components that
interact with and complement one another to achieve one or more
predetermined goals.
Characteristics of a System
A system is characterized by the following:
a.
Unitary Whole – a system is the sum of its parts glued into
one distinct entity.
b. Composed of Parts – a system is made up of functionally oriented
c. Bounded – boundaries separate the system from its environment
d. System Parts Interact With Each Other – the parts are related and have definite interactions
and interdependencies.
e. Hierarchical – Each system is likely to be part of another larger system. Just as it is likely to
be divided into subsystems.
f. Goal-Oriented – The components all work toward a particular purpose of function.
Basic Components of a System
A system can be analyzed in terms of the four(4) basic components, namely:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Inputs – elements that enter the system and take the form of energy, materials or information.
Processes – actions on the inputs that converts it to outputs.
Outputs – the finished product, which resulted from processing the inputs.
Environment – the set of all outside elements or focuses that influence the system.
Types of System
A system can be classified into two namely:
1.
Information System – a group of related activities (manual or
computerized) designed to collect, process, generate and exchange
information for the exclusive support of a major functional area to fulfill
the problem-solving and decision making information needs of business
workers of the organization.
Ex. Personnel Management Information System, Financial Management
Information System
2.
Application System – a group of related activities
designed to support a very specific function.
Ex. Payroll System, Accounting System
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER CONCEPTS AND OPERATIONS
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Computer System Components
1. Hardware
–
supported by auxiliary or peripheral.
 simply refers to computer equipment
 refers to the physical components that are used in data preparation,
data input, data storage, data computation and logic comparisons,
control functions and outputting information
 It includes the central processing unit (CPU) and the storage, input,
communication devices
output and
2. Software
–
non-physical components such as the
machine coded instructions used by the different hardware
facilities.
 refers to all computer programs which direct and
control the computer hardware in data processing
Two types of Software:
a. Systems Software is a collection of programs that facilitates the programming and
operation of the computer. It is called systems software because it is an integral part of the
computer system itself
specifically, it supervises the operations of the CPU,
controls the input/output functions of the computer system, translates programming
languages, and provides other support services
some system softwares are Disk Operating System
(DOS), DataBase Management System (DBMS), interpreters and compiles,
and data
communication software
b. Applications software
not an integral part of the computer system. These
programs are written to solve a specific problem.
application programs maybe written by
programmers or maybe purchase or leased from computer vendors, software companies or
other computer users.
3. Peopleware
–
refers to the personnel who manage,
designs the application, writes and encodes the program.