DATA PROCESSING

SYSTEMS

HOW A COMPUTER WORKS?

1. READ THE FOLLOWING TEXT AND

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT
IT.

An electronic data- processing system

provide us with the necessary
mechanisms for handling information
in an accurate, truthful, prompt, and
opportune way. It is an aid in decision making.
It consists of: (1) hardware or physical
equipment, e.g. , mechanical, magnetic,
electrical o electronic devices; (2) software, a
set of computers programs, procedures and
possibly associated documentation concerned
with
the operation of a data processing
system, such as compilers, library routines,
manuals, circuit diagrams; and (3) human
elements.
OBTECTIVES:
Reducing
clerical
work
volume
considerably.
Getting results on real time. (the term real
time, refers to actual time during which a
physical process is completed)
Reducing operating costs by shortening
working time and avoiding extra work time
pay and by reducing the expenses of office
supplies which are used in manual
performance.
Improving the organizing process of the
enterprise. The system itself will help
management
determine
the
ideal
subdivision of tasks thus avoiding the
waste of time and energy of clerks in
duplicated work this has the advantage of
freeing to perform tasks other than those
which computers can do, for example,
those concerning analysis and creativity,
which will help the enterprise achieve
efficiency and effectiveness.
Increasing enterprise profitability. Proper
task location, and devoting a longer time to
analysis based on prompt and accurate
information for
Supporting decision making, will lead to
action. This will translate into profitability.
Improving systems or designing new ones,
which will help the enterprise in goal
accomplishment, or else in aiming for new
goals.
COMPUTER FUNCTIONS.
There are four major functions of a computer: (1)
receiving data, which are merely individual facts;
(2) processing or combining data in some way to
give them meaning, that is information; (3)
storing the information; and (4) providing results.
A computer, in a sense constitutes a calculation
center, a means of communication, a source of
information, and a producer of results.

Every computer consists of three basic parts: an

input device, the computer
itself, and output device.
Within the computer there
are a number of key
components; the central
processing
unit
(CPU),
where computation and
other logical

functions are performed. The storage of memory

and registers.
The physical components of a computer are
useless without a PROGRAM to provide directions.
A program is a series of instructions that tells the
computer step by step precisely what to do. Each
instruction tells the computer to perform one of
its basic functions:
1 Addition, 2. Subtraction, 3. Multiplication, 4.
Division, 5. Copying. 6. Simple yes/no logic, 7.
Requesting input, 8. Requesting output, 9.
Converting data from one type to another.
ANSWER THE NEXT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
TEXT.
1. Create a concept map of what is a dataprocessing system, its components and
objectives.
2. Create a concept map of what are the
computer functions? And how a
computer works?
A. A data processing system consists of
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B. What are the main functions a computer
have?
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C. A computer has three basic parts:
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D. What is a program?
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