Data processing
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[[Image:DataProcessingChart.JPG|thumb|Centre|300px|Process of Data Processing]]
'''Data processing''' is any [[computer]] [[Process (computing)|process]] that converts [[data]] into [[information]] or [[knowledge]].<ref>i.e. data processing can be any computer operation or series of operations performed on data to get insightful information.</ref> The processing is usually assumed to be automated and running on a [[computer]]. Because data are most useful when well-presented and actually ''informative'', data-processing systems are often referred to as [[information system]]s to emphasize their practicality. Nevertheless, both terms are roughly synonymous, performing similar conversions; data-processing systems typically manipulate raw data into information, and likewise information systems typically take raw data as input to produce information as output.
==Definitions==
Data processing, [[data]] are defined as [[number]]s or [[character (computing)|characters]] that represent [[measurement]]s from observable phenomena. A single [[datum]] is a single measurement from observable phenomena. Measured information is then algorithmically derived and/or logically deduced and/or statistically calculated from multiple data. ([[evidence]]). [[Information]] is defined as either a meaningful answer to a [[query]] or a meaningful stimulus that can cascade into further queries.
For example gathering seismic data leads to alteration of seismic data to suppress noise, enhance signal and migrate seismic events to the appropriate location in space. Processing steps typically include analysis of velocities and frequencies, static corrections, deconvolution, normal moveout, dip moveout, stacking, and migration, which can be performed before or after stacking. Seismic processing facilitates better interpretation because subsurface structures and reflection geometries are more apparent.
===General===
More generally, the term ''data processing'' can apply to any process that converts data from one format to another, although ''[[data conversion]]'' would be the more logical and correct term. From this perspective, data processing becomes the process of converting [[information]] into [[data]] and also the converting of data back into information. The distinction is that conversion doesn't require a question (query) to be answered. For example, [[information]] in the form of a string of characters forming a sentence in English is converted or [[encode]]d meaningless hardware-oriented data to evermore-meaningful information as the processing proceeds toward the human being.
===Embedded system===
Conversely, that simple example for pedagogical purposes here is usually described as an [[embedded system]] (for the software resident in the keyboard itself) or as (operating-)[[systems programming]], because the information is derived from a hardware interface and may involve overt control of the hardware through that interface by an operating system. Typically control of hardware by a device driver manipulating [[ASIC]] or [[FPGA]] registers is not viewed as part of data processing proper or information systems proper, but rather as the domain of embedded systems or (operating-)[[systems programming]]. Instead, perhaps a more conventional example of the established practice of using the term ''data processing'' is that a business has collected numerous data concerning an aspect of its operations and that this multitude of data must be presented in meaningful, easy-to-access presentations for the managers who must then use that information to increase revenue or to decrease cost. That conversion and presentation of data as information is typically performed by a data-processing [[software application|application]].
===Data analysis===
When the domain from which the data are harvested is a science or an engineering, data processing and information systems are considered too broad of terms and the more specialized term [[data analysis]] is typically used, focusing on the highly-specialized and highly-accurate algorithmic derivations and statistical calculations that are less often observed in the typical general business environment. In these contexts data analysis packages like [[DAP (software)|DAP]], [[gretl]] or [[PSPP]] are often used. This divergence of culture is exhibited in the typical numerical representations used in data processing versus numerical; data processing's measurements are typically represented by [[integer]]s or by [[fixed-point]] or [[binary-coded decimal]] representations of numbers whereas the majority of data analysis's measurements are often represented by [[floating-point]] representation of rational numbers.
===Processing===
Practically all naturally occurring processes can be viewed as examples of [[data processing system]]s where "observable" information in the form of [[pressure]], [[light]], etc. are converted by human [[observation|observer]]s into [[electrical]] signals in the [[nervous system]] as the [[sense]]s we recognize as [[somatosensory system|touch]], [[sound]], and [[Visual perception|vision]]. Even the interaction of non-living systems may be viewed in this way as rudimentary [[information processing system]]s. Conventional usage of the terms ''data processing'' and ''information system''s restricts their use to refer to the algorithmic derivations, logical deductions, and statistical calculations that recur perennially in general business environments, rather than in the more expansive sense of all conversions of real-world measurements into real-world information in, say, an organic biological system or even a scientific or engineering system.
==Elements of Data Processing==
In order to be processed by a computer, the data needs first to be converted into a machine readable format. Once data is in digital format, various procedures can be applied on the data to get useful information. Data Processing includes all the processes from [[Data Entry]] up to [[Data Mining]]:
* Data Entry <!--no linking since redirects to this article-->
* [[Data Cleaning]]
* [[Data Coding]]
* [[Data Translation]]
* [[Data Summarization]]
* [[Data Aggregation]]
* [[Data Validation]]
* [[Crosstab|Data Tabulation]]
* [[Statistical Analysis]]
* [[Computer graphics]]
* [[Data Warehousing]]
* [[Data Mining]]
== Notes ==
<references/>
==See also==
*[[Data Processor]]
*[[Data entry clerk]]
*[[Two Pass Verification]]
==Further reading==
*Linda B., Bourque, Linda B., Bourgue, Virginia A., Clark, ''Processing Data: The Survey Example (Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences)'', Sage Publications, Inc. (December 14, 2006), ISBN 0803947410
==External links==
* Definitions of Data Processing on [[Google]] [http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-15,GGLG:en&q=define%3a+data+processing]
[[Category:Data management]]
[[bn:উপাত্ত প্রক্রিয়াকরণ]]
[[de:Datenverarbeitung]]
[[el:Επεξεργασία δεδομένων]]
[[et:Andmesisestus]]
[[fa:پردازش دادهها]]
[[fi:Tietojenkäsittely]]
[[he:עיבוד נתונים]]
[[hu:Adatfeldolgozás]]
[[id:Pemrosesan data]]
[[it:Data processing]]
[[ja:データ処理]]
[[ko:데이터 처리]]
[[pt:Processamento de dados]]
[[ru:Обработка данных]]