ORGANIZATION OF DATA

Data for a computer can be organized in several different ways. One unit of data is called a field. An example of a field may be a person's name. Several individual fields, such as a field for an individual's name, a field for nationality, and a field for the language a particular student's speak, can be combined together to form a record. A record, therefore, is a group of fields related to a particular unit of information. Record, like fields, can be combined together into a related group. A group of related records is called a file. A student information file may consist of individual records. Each containing a name, nationality, and language field. Data can also be organized into a very large collections called data bases. Each data base is a collections of related items which is organized so that it can be used for different purpose. For example, a data base containing information about an individual student's name, nationality, and language, like the one describe above, could be used both to determine the number of students from a particular country and to classify students according to the language each individual speaks.

THE FORM OF DATA

In order for data to be processed by a computer, they must be "machine-readable", that is, expressed in a form the computer understand. Computers cannot deal with emotions, opinions, or feelings. All computer information is expressed by a numeric code. The computer transforms everything-letters of the alphabet, numbers, punctuation marks, sounds, special symbol, etc-into its own number system so that the data can be processed.

DATA VERSUS INFORMATION

We have already mentioned that the facts which are put into the computer are called data. Data are raw facts or figures which are arranged in such a way that the computer can accept and process them. When data are put into, or "input" into, the computer, they may not be meaningful by themselves. Once the data have been handled or processed by the computer, they are changed into useful information. This useful information then comes out from, or is "output" by, the computer so that people can use it. This is the purpose of the computer, and of data processing-to process data so that they become useful information.

THE DATA PROCESSING CYCLE: INPUT, PROCESSING, OUTPUT

The data processing cycle takes place in three steps. First, data are put into a computer in a form the computer can understand. Second, the data are processed according to the instruction the computer receives through programs. Third, the data, now in a form understandable and meaningful to people, come out.

WHAT IS DATA PROCESSING?

In spite of the tremendous impact computers have made and will continue to make an society, many people do not really understand what a computer is or how it works. In fact, most people may not know much about computers except that using them usually makes their live easier.
In very simple terms, a computer, regardless of it's size, appearance, or cost, is a machine that processes data-facts-electronically. (Data is the plural of datum; however, in common usage, the word data is often used in the singular). Processing data with a computer is relatively new; however, the idea of processing data is not. In general, data processing (DP) can be defined as a series of three steps: 1) the collection or gathering of data; 2) the manipulation or handling of data, and 3) the distribution or sending out of data or information for a particular purpose. Electronic data processing (EDP), therefore, is the collection, manipulation, and distribution of facts by electronic means-by computer. EDP has become the major method of processing in modern society. In fact, it is so common that the general term data processing and the specific idea of electronic data processing have become synonymous and are now used interchangeably.

COMPUTERS TERMINOLOGY

Computers have brought about many changes in language, both in the United states and in other countries. With the invention and use of the computers, an entire new vocabulary has developed-words which describe the computer and its function, or relate to computer technology in some way. Such words include "software", the term used to refer to computer "program". Programs are the instruction that tell the computer what to do. Software is generally contrasted with "hardware", the actual physical parts of the computer system. "Debug" is another term that came into existance with computers. It means to locate and remove all mistakes in a computer program. Other computer related words are not really new, but take on a special meaning in terms of computer. For example, "up" and "down", used in reference to computers, do not signify spatial relationships. Instead the term "up" means that the computer is "up" and working, while the term "down" means the oppsite, that the computer is not functioning and cannot be used. Another example of a word which takes a special meaning in reference to computers is the word "boot". When used to refer to computers, "boot" is not used to mean a kind of shoe. Rather, "boot" is henerally used as a verb. "To boot" a computer means to start it up. Other influences in language brought about by computer technology involve words which have become almost exclusively associated with computers, although they retain their original meanings. One such word is "user". While user really signifies "one who uses something", today it very often refers to a person using computers. Associated with the word "user" is the term "user friendly". This is currently a very popular expression meaning that the computer can be easily understood and operated by non-technical, "non-computer" people. Finally, many terms associated with computers are acronyms. An acronym is a word formed by the first letter or letters of all or some of the parts of a particular expression. Acronyms are very often used instead of the complete expression. Many languages used to program computers are acronyms. For example, the computer language BASIC is the acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Another example of an acronym is PC, which stands for personal computer.

COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Computers have had a great effect on modern society and have caused a great many changes in a short time. It is sometimes difficult to believe that computers first came into existence during the late 1930s, and that during this time, they were used mainly for scientific research in government and in universities.
Computer technology has developed very quickly and has greatly influenced modern life. In fact, by the 1970s computers were used for applications that were previously unthinkable. By the 1970s, computers were common not only in businesses, which found them very helpful for all kinds of office tasks, but also in many others places, including retail stores, supermarkets, schools and libraries. By the beginning of the 1980s computers could be found everywhere. In a gas stations, in cars, or in household appliances such as dishwashers or microwave ovens, just to name a few examples. In fact, by this time, microcomputers, or personal computers, relatively small and inexpensive computers, were becoming even more common in both business and the home. Since the interest in computers is increasing every day, and because tremendous advances are being made so quickly in computer technology, it is often difficult to envision the impact that computers will have in the future.