Data Processing Cycle

Data Collection and Preparation to produce a Source Document

To prepare it to be directly input at the Data Input stage. This means there is less chance for errors and is much faster than manually typing it in.

After this the Data is Processed and Stored

Once it is stored the Data Output gives output in one of three formats: File, Paper or/and Screen

Direct Data Input Methods Are:
MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
OCR - Optical Character Recognition (Hardware: Scanner. Software: OC Software)
Mark Sense Card - lottery
Bar Code - DUH!
Smart Card - own microprocessor chip
Magnetic Stripe - Less memory than smart cards, easier to forge and easier to damage

Commercial Data Processing

CDP is all about how large companies deal with and process a lot of data. Like the Lottery, Airports, Morrisons, Spar! (Yes, they do exist!)

Why do we need Computers and CDP
There is a lot of data (Large Volume of documents)
Faster to search through than manual (imagine trying to find a lottery winner from 32 million tickets sold)
Provides high speed access to data (trying to book in at an airport for)
Handle repetitive tasks (imagine having to check EVERY lottery ticket!)

Advantages of Using Computers
Orders processed much more quickly
Computer checks built in so errors less likely
Maintain contact with a large number of people
Easily keep information up to date
Single Entry Multiple Use
One department enters information all departments can access the information

Data and Information

Information(for people) = data(for computers) with structure

Automated Systems

What are Automated Systems
Humans provide the input
Machine/Robot/system carries out the process
Provides the output

Auto Sys in the home

* washing machine
* cameras
* sky +
* stereos
* microwaves
* dishwashers
* tumble dryers

Auto Sys in industry
* car manufacture
* coca cola factory
* irn bru factory
* tunnocks
* wool factory

Reasons why we use Auto Sys
* they are re-programmable
* faster than humans
* can work longer, 24/7
* do boring jobs
* more accurate than humans
* can do dangerous jobs

Databases, everything anything and all of it

Data File - largest piece of the database, this is whole database
Record - holds all the details on the subject on one individual person/car/ whatever
Field - smallest part of the database, this holds one piece of information


Field Types - Text, Numeric, Date/Time, Currency, Graphic

Sort or Search

Complex - means you do this on more than one field
simple - means you do it one field

Example Answers
To find all of the blue eyed cats we would ...
Complex Search on the Pet Field for "Cat" and the eyes field for "blue"

To get a list in alphabetical order
Ascending Sort

Calculated/Computed Field
A field which uses a formula to calculate using the other fields.

How much memory does one character require.
One Byte!

Databases!

Databases have three parts
Listed in order from Largest to Smallest they Are? ...


Data File
* The full database

Record(s)
*contains all the information on person/subject

Fields
* these are one piece of information

Types include

+ numeric
+ text
+ graphic
+ date/time
+ currency

A little too much to drink ...

C U A Love U Right!

Three parts of the processor

CU - Control Unit
- make sure all instructions are carried out in the correct order
- controls other parts of the processor

ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
- carries out all the calculations
- makes decisions based on logic

R - Registers
- Temporary storage locations in the processor
- stores results of calculations, addresses to be accessed

Graphics Operations

Crop
cutting part out of an image

Scale
increasing or decreasing the size of a graphic - keeping it in proportion (without losing any of the image)

Rotate
turning an image by a certain angle

Ware!!!!!!!

Freeware

+ Free (always!)
+ Can copy and distribute it to anyone
+ but not for money

Examples - Apps for your phone, uTorrent, MSN Messenger, SKYPE, Windows MovieMaker, iTunes

Shareware

+ Limited Trial Period - free
+ after this you must pay for it or delete it

Examples - Photoshop, AVG Antivirus, any Adobe Programs

Commercial Ware

+ need to pay for the full use straight away

Examples - DoodleJump App (Full Version), Windows XP/Vista/98/7


Portability - if software works on different computer systems (with little or no change) then it is portable!

Sofware Development

High Level Languages
+ Written in an English like Language, means they are easier to understand than Low Level Languages - like 1010101's
+ Portable, means they can be used on different platforms (different Operating Systems, Processors)
+Must be translated before they can be executed

Translators
Interpreter
Translates and executes one line of code at a time
+ excellent for debugging, as it stops when an error is found and will not move beyond that line
- needs to be always running in memory

Compiler
Translates and executes the full program at once
+ gives an executable file once the program has been successfully translated
- not great for debugging as it returns all the errors at once (could be loads!)

Tutoring

If you or anyone you know if looking for tutoring for all levels
Standard Grade, Higher and Intermediate 2 Computing then give me a mail at

cmcalpine@hamilton.s-lanark.sch.uk

Programming

Four variable types??

String - "Corey#.1"

Integer - 1,2,3,4,5,6

single - 0.95

boolean - true/false

PRINTING IN A PICTURE BOX

dim yourname as string
yourname = inputbox("Enter your name")

pctinfo.print "Name you entered: " & yourname

Spreadsheets

What are spreadsheets used for - Calculations!

What makes up a spreadsheet - Cell

What is a vertical run of cells called? - Column

What is a horizontal run of cells called? - Row

What do we call (A1:D9) - Range of Cells

What three things can go in a Cell? - Number, Text and Formula

Spreadsheets allow us to replicate formulas, What does Replicate mean - Copying!

5 functions in spreadsheets
= average()
= sum()
= min()
= max()
= if(B2 >= 18, "Go Dancing", "away hame")
= if(b2 >= 35, "Hit the Overs, old git", if(b2 >=18, "Hit the dancing", "Away to unders"))

There are two types of Replication ($$$)

$$$ - Absolute - formula DOES NOT change!
No dollars - Relative - formula changes to suit the new cells

Merge Ahead!

There are a few steps in completing a mail merge operation

1. Create a Standard Letter

2. Create a Database of Personal Information

3. Insert the merge fields into the Standard Letter

4. Merge the two together

What is a Standard Letter?

A Standard letter is a letter with no personal information that we can use to complete a Mail Merge

Loads of Word Processor Stuff!

OCR

Optical Character Recognition
Scanner & OCR Software
Scans and recognises words on a document


Standard Paragraph
document which is already typed and saved
insert into many documents again and again
dont have to re-type or spell check

Four Alignments of Text
Left, Right, Centre and Fully Justified


Word Wrap Vs Text Wrap
Word Wrap automagically takes a new at the end of a paragraph
Text Wrap is used to wrap text around graphics!

Formatting Text Styles
Bold, Italic, Underline
Shadow, Strike Through, SuperScript, SubScript, Colour, The Size, The actual Font

Grammar Checker
checks the format of text making sure of punctuation !words of order!
underlines in green

Search and Replace
allows you to "search" for one word and "replace" it with another
need to be careful you dont change the wrong words
Selective - you choose, Global - does them all!

Integrated Packages

Integrated Packages????

a package with more than one GPP (General Purpose Package)

Advantages

dont need to buy each GPP separately - saving money
Common HCI
Link between tasks (to transfer data between them)
can several different documents open at the same time


Disadvantages

some features may have been removed

3H aren't as smart as 3F

Templates

A ready made blank document with placeholders for graphics, text, videos, charts, animation, sound clips, clip art ...

Speeds up the time it takes to create documents


Wizards

Helps you create documents guiding you step by step through the process, asks you questions (use them for setting things up, installing programs, printers etc etc, spreadsheets for chart, set up wizard)

Spell Check Online!

Online Help
Help that is just written in text. So you read and follow instructions. aimed at advanced users, because they need to know about features to understand it!


Online Tutorial
series of guided lessons that show you how to do something. Aimed at begginers who know nothing about the package!


Spell Checker

Spell checker has its own built in dictionary, underlines a word in red - if its not in its dictionary. Gives you the option to change it (gives you a list of suggestions you may have meant) leave it or add it to the dictionary.

Spell Check sometimes makes a mistake with peoples names e.g Jemma, Cretu, Corey McAlpine ....

Data Linkage and a Scanner!

Static and Dynamic


Static?
* Theres really no link, when you copy a document and change the original it doesn't affect any of the copies

Dyanmic?
* There is a link, when you copy a document and change the original the copy changes with the original!

OCR! - Optical Character Recognition
Scanner and OCR Software. Scan pieces of paper and the computer recognises the text and you can edit it without retyping it!

The Acts

Computer Misuse Act
+ hacking
+ viruses

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
+ downloading music, films, software etc etc without paying for it!

Freedom of Information Act

Data Protection Act

Data Subject?
Person who the information is about

Data Controller
The person who stores the information

Data Commissioner
Must registers with this person before storing personal information

Data Subject Rights?
+ right to see personal information (not always, police records if it will affect ongoing investigation, or matters of National Security)
+ have it changed if it is incorrect
+ compensation if the act is broken

Responsibilities of Data Controller
+ Dont transfer data outside the EU
+ take measures to prevents unauthorised access (passwords)
+ dont keep info longer than necessary

GPPS!

GPP???? - General Purpose Package
Multi tasks - can do more than one things with it (write a letter in spreadsheets?!)

Word Processing
Databases
Graphics
Expert Systems
Spreadsheets
Presentation
Web Page Creation
Desktop Publishing (DTP!)

We communicate by using the HCI
- Human Computer Interface

What type of interface do most computers use?
WIMP!!!
Windows Icons Menus Pointer