Information Processing Cycle

When we talk about information processing, we are talking about the change in the information. The change may or may not be detectable to an observer. If the change is sufficiently big enough, then it will be detected, but when the change is minute, then an observer may not be able to decipher the change. Now comes the question about information processing cycle. From the name itself, it is clear that there is a sequence of events involved, in which the information is processed. There are four parts in the information processing cycle. This cycle deals with the computer systems. There is also an information processing theory in psychology. The information processing model in psychology should not be confused with the information processing cycle in computer science. We will now read on the four parts of the information processing cycle in particular and information processing cycle in particular.

What is the Information Processing Cycle?

If one has to look at the information processing cycle diagram, he will see that there are four events in the sequence of events. The sequence of events, which make up the information processing cycle are:

• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

In some of the events, certain sub-events can also be added. Without wasting any more time we will turn towards the information processing cycle in detail.

Input
This is the first event in the cycle. This stage involves collection of data from the outside or also from within the system. One can break this stage into three more stages, namely acquisition, data entry and validation. After the data has been acquired from the source, it is entered into the current system, upon which the data is validated, so that correct results are given at the end of the cycle. The input devices are many. The commonly used input devices are computer keyboard, bar code readers, scanners, output from another system, etc.

Processing
In this stage the computer processes the minutest details entered. This processing makes the data entered usable. If the computer was not to process the data, it would not be of any use and it would also be a big mess of data. For example, if the spreadsheet was not to process the data, then the data in the spreadsheet would only be a mess of numbers. The spreadsheet is a program which gives the data out back to the user in the usable form. The system used for processing, along with the data entered will decide the kind of output, which the user will get.

Output
If you have to look at the diagram of information processing cycle, the step after processing is the output stage. The processed information is now transmitted to the user. This stage can also be further divided. After processing the data, there can be further interactive queries asked or routine reports can be given. There are different forms in which the output can be given to the user. There can be print report, which may be given to the user. The output can also be given in the form of audio, video as well. In some cases, the results may only be displayed on the computer monitor.

Storage
After the data has been processed, along with the output to the user, the data is also stored. Different computer storage devices can be used for the same. Some of the commonly used data storage methods are disk storage, tertiary storage, etc. Storing the data also serves another purpose. You will not have to repeat the entire cycle again. Often the storage is done in both digital as well as hard copy format. At the same time, backup of the digital format is also maintained, which can be retrieved in case of system crash.

The most important advantage of the information processing cycle, is that the information is processed quickly. At the same time retrieving the data is an easy task as well. The processed information can further be passed unto the next stage directly in case the need be. The necessary data is stored, which helps in avoiding duplication of data as well as time.

Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/information-processing-cycle.html