What is DATA PROCESSING?

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What does DATA PROCESSING mean? DATA PROCESSING meaning - DATA PROCESSING definition - DATA PROCESSING explanation. What is the meaning of DATA PROCESSING? What is the definition of DATA PROCESSING? What does DATA PROCESSING stand for? What is DATA PROCESSING meaning? What is DATA PROCESSING definition?

Data processing is, broadly, "the collection and manipulation of items of data to produce meaningful information's." In this sense it can be considered a subset of information processing, "the change (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer."

The term is often used more specifically in the context of a business or other organization to refer to the class of commercial data processing applications.

Data processing may involve various processes, including:

Validation – Ensuring that supplied data is "clean, correct and useful";
Sorting – "arranging items in some sequence and/or in different sets.";
Summarization – reducing detail data to its main points.;
Aggregation – combining multiple pieces of data.;
Analysis – the "collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.".;
Reporting – list detail or summary data or computed information;
Classification – separates data into various categories.
Although widespread use of the term data processing dates only from the nineteen-fifties data processing functions have been performed manually for millennia. For example, bookkeeping involves functions such as posting transactions and producing reports like the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. Completely manual methods were augmented by the application of mechanical or electronic calculators. A person whose job was to perform calculations manually or using a calculator was called a "computer."

The term automatic data processing was applied to operations performed by means of unit record equipment, such as Herman Hollerith's application of punched card equipment for the 1890 United States Census. "Using Hollerith's punchcard equipment, the Census Office was able to complete tabulating most of the 1890 census data in 2 to 3 years, compared with 7 to 8 years for the 1880 census.... It is also estimated that using Herman Hollerith's system saved some $5 million in processing costs" (in 1890 dollars) even with twice as many questions as in 1880.

Computerized data processing, or Electronic data processing represents the further evolution, with the computer taking the place of several independent pieces of equipment. The Census Bureau first made limited use of electronic computers for the 1950 United States Census, using a UNIVAC I system, delivered in 1952.