CATEGORIES OF DATA PROCESSING

Modern data processing employing machines and other devices falls into two basics categories, mechanical data processing and electronic data processing. In some data processing operations, all work is still done using manual procedures.

A major difference between the two categories is that the mechanical system usually require constant manual intervention between the different data processing operations, whereas in an electronic system the different operations are performed automatically with a minimum manual intervention.

The types of machine employed in either system usually vary from one user to another. However most of the general concepts in data processing still remain applicable.