The word system does not imply automation. Systems may be manual or automated. Data may be processed manually or by using computers. We use computers as tools to process data because they are powerful and suitable for such a purpose and the underlying concepts of data processing remain the same.
Manual systems use human beings as the processors. Human beings are valuable processors because human beings can think, analyze and learn. They have the capacity to put together all the information they have and draw inferences. Human beings are irreplaceable processors because of their ability to accept input data and process it based on prior knowledge and experience. Human beings can take decisions based on information.
Human beings have the following disadvantages as information processors:
1. They get tired easily.
Human beings cannot work for sustained hours without making mistakes.
2. The capacity to accept input is limited.
Human beings cannot accept input from too many sources at the same time and their speed for accepting input is low.
3. Even if they know exactly what is to be done, they may make mistakes. Their work becomes unreliable due to long hours of working.
4. Even under the most ideal working situations, the speed of human being is insufficient for processing large amounts of data.
Because of the above limitations, there is need to supplement human beings as information processors, or even replace them at places.
Over the centuries, machines of various types have been invented and used to help out human beings. Machines have been used for performing simple and repetitive tasks which human beings find boring and tiring. Machines are used for performing many activities such as making things or for processing data. Some old means of using simple automation for information processing are abacus, cardboard multiplication calculator, Blaise Pascal's adding machine and tabulating machine etc. Using such devices simplify human work and cuts down repetition, while performing the tasks which are not possible to be done by the humans with such speed and accuracy.
Later, mechanical aids have been supplemented with or replaced by electric and electronic machines. Mechanical devices are slower and bulkier than electronic devices and are subject to mechanical stresses, wear and tear. Electric/ electronic machines use the principles of electrical circuitry and electronics to accept inputs, process them and perform actions or give outputs.
The most popular electronic machine used today for systems is the computer. Whether we use an Optical Mark Reader (OMR) for checking objective type of question papers of a competition or the bank staff uses a machine with a MICR to process written cheques, all these tasks use computers and the various input devices available for use with computers.
Automated systems use computers or microprocessors for their functioning. For storing and processing large volume of data , a computer is used and has many applications like generating electricity bills and phone bills, processing cheques, scientific research and much more.
Whether manual or automated, the basic concept for data processing remains the same:
1. There is some input to feed.
2. The processor knows what to do with the supplied input.
3. It applies the knowledge to process the input.
4. After processing of input the output is produced.
Computers made it possible to carry out processing which would have been either too cumbersome or too time consuming or impossible to do manually.
Manual systems use human beings as the processors. Human beings are valuable processors because human beings can think, analyze and learn. They have the capacity to put together all the information they have and draw inferences. Human beings are irreplaceable processors because of their ability to accept input data and process it based on prior knowledge and experience. Human beings can take decisions based on information.
Human beings have the following disadvantages as information processors:
1. They get tired easily.
Human beings cannot work for sustained hours without making mistakes.
2. The capacity to accept input is limited.
Human beings cannot accept input from too many sources at the same time and their speed for accepting input is low.
3. Even if they know exactly what is to be done, they may make mistakes. Their work becomes unreliable due to long hours of working.
4. Even under the most ideal working situations, the speed of human being is insufficient for processing large amounts of data.
Because of the above limitations, there is need to supplement human beings as information processors, or even replace them at places.
Over the centuries, machines of various types have been invented and used to help out human beings. Machines have been used for performing simple and repetitive tasks which human beings find boring and tiring. Machines are used for performing many activities such as making things or for processing data. Some old means of using simple automation for information processing are abacus, cardboard multiplication calculator, Blaise Pascal's adding machine and tabulating machine etc. Using such devices simplify human work and cuts down repetition, while performing the tasks which are not possible to be done by the humans with such speed and accuracy.
Later, mechanical aids have been supplemented with or replaced by electric and electronic machines. Mechanical devices are slower and bulkier than electronic devices and are subject to mechanical stresses, wear and tear. Electric/ electronic machines use the principles of electrical circuitry and electronics to accept inputs, process them and perform actions or give outputs.
The most popular electronic machine used today for systems is the computer. Whether we use an Optical Mark Reader (OMR) for checking objective type of question papers of a competition or the bank staff uses a machine with a MICR to process written cheques, all these tasks use computers and the various input devices available for use with computers.
Automated systems use computers or microprocessors for their functioning. For storing and processing large volume of data , a computer is used and has many applications like generating electricity bills and phone bills, processing cheques, scientific research and much more.
Whether manual or automated, the basic concept for data processing remains the same:
1. There is some input to feed.
2. The processor knows what to do with the supplied input.
3. It applies the knowledge to process the input.
4. After processing of input the output is produced.
Computers made it possible to carry out processing which would have been either too cumbersome or too time consuming or impossible to do manually.
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