Manipulation & Processing

1. Manipulation & Processing • Batch Processing • Interactive Processing • Transaction Processing - NEW • Real-time Processing • IT02 Pseudo Real-time Processing

2. Part Question ICT2 January 2001 (a) Explain what the term batch processingmeans. (3 marks) (c) Explain what the term transaction processingmeans. (3 marks)

3. You have seconds to complete this task 60 30 20 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00

4. Some key points Batch Processing allows efficient processing of a large volume of documents all of the same type. all data is collected together over a set period of time/into batches of a set size to be processed in one computer run without any human intervention

5. Some key points Transaction processing deals with each set of data as it is submitted. Each transaction is completed, before the next is begun.

6. Manipulation & Processing Data as Text - stored, retrieved, edited, searched, deleted etc. Pictures - stored, cropped, resized etc. Numbers - arithmetic calculations etc. Sound - sampled, stored, edited etc.

7. Dissemination and Distributionhow information is displayed Text Tables Graphics (static moving) Sound and what form/methods are used for distribution Hard/soft copy e-mail, presentation, formal report etc.

8. Hardware; Nature, Capabilities & Limitations Characteristics, Capabilities and Limitations of: Input Devices Output Devices Storage Devices Communications Devices

9. Question ICT2 January 2001 3 State a suitable medium for transferring sound files, and give a reason for your choice. (2 marks)

10. You have seconds to complete this task 60 30 20 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00

11. Answer ICT2 January 2001 3 Sound files are most commonly transported these days using Compact Disks . We buy them all the time. CDs are used because they are quite cheap to produce and can hold a lot of data, making them prefect for albums.

12. What the Principal Examiner said Question 3 This question was generally poorly answered with candidates not realising that the medium for the transfer of files was required e.g. CD-ROM, CD-R/W. Either the format of the sound files was stated e. g. ‘wav’ or a method of transfer e. g. e-mail.

13. Security of Datahow to look after your data Privacy • knowing who is allowed to see the data Security • keeping data safe from what shouldn't happen to it Integrity • making sure that data doesn’t become corrupt or have errors introduced during processing

14. Network Environments Elements • Hardware • Software • Communications and topology Characteristics LAN versus WAN

15. Human/Computer Interface • HCI • Types • GUI • WYSIWYG • Menu Driven • Command Line • Natural Language

20. Natural Language

21. Common User Interface 6 All the staff in a small office use the same word-processing, spreadsheet and database packages. These packages all have a common user interface. (a) Give four advantages of having a common user interface. (4 marks)

22. Ideas to include in an answer • ease of transfer of skills to different packages • shorter familiarisation/learning time • after learning first package • less training costs for employer • greater range of tasks/software accessible to users • confidence building for naive users

23. What the Principal Examiner said Few candidates read this question carefully enough, and did not realise that the advantages required referred to the ‘Common User Interface’ shared by the packages and gave answers about ease of transfer of data between the packages or about being able to use different computers within the office.