Data Processing System - SS1 ICT Lesson Note

A data processing system is a subset of an information system that focuses specifically on the collection, manipulation, and management of data. These systems handle data in various forms, including text, images, and numbers. They perform tasks like data entry, storage, processing, and output generation. Examples include databases, spreadsheets, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

It involves various stages of data processing:

1. Data Collection: Gathering raw data from different sources, which can include surveys, sensors, transactions, and more.
2. Data Preparation: Cleaning, formatting, and transforming the collected data into a usable format.
3. Data Processing: Applying various operations to the data, such as calculations, aggregations, filtering, and sorting, to generate meaningful insights.
4. Data Storage: Storing the processed data in databases or other storage systems for future reference and analysis.
5. Data Analysis: Using statistical, mathematical, or other analytical methods to discover patterns, trends, and relationships in the data.
6. Data Presentation: Visualizing the analyzed data through graphs, charts, reports, dashboards, and other formats to aid decision-making.

Data processing systems are used across industries for tasks like financial analysis, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and more.