AIN2601 Exam notes - Summary of entire course, chapters covered

AIN2601 Exam notes - Summary of entire course, chapters covered Topic 1 SU1 Data management and utilization Data and the computerised information processing system  a) Activities  b) input of data c) processing e) output/ information  f)make decisions d)store raw data and information  Input of data Data captured on manual documents (hard copy) as well as data entered in the CIS and not yet processed is called raw data. Because information is obtained by processing raw data, it is essential that the raw data captured in the CIS should be accurate, complete, reliable and verifiable A source document is the first documented record of an activity that took place O Input types  Batch input involves similar source documents being grouped together (batch) and then entered in the CIS periodically, eg. daily, weekly or monthly.  Online input involves data being immediately captured into the CIS at the point where the activity occurs.  Processing data O Processing methods:  Classifying data – arranged into different groups (categories) credit sales X cash sales  Performing calculations – arithmetic or logical calculations eg. VAT  Sorting data – purchase orders in numerical sequence  Summarising data – transactions for a specific supplier for a particular month  Transforming data – accounting data  graphs; audio  written text O Processing types:  Batch processing – processing transaction files to update master files periodically  Real-time processing – immediate update of transaction files to the master files (as the transaction occurs) O Output information:  Batch output occurs when all requests for information (ie reports, queries, etc) are batched together and periodically extracted from the CIS.  Interactive output occurs when users are directly connected to the CIS and can request certain information and receive it immediately.  Processing O Typical processing systems  Batch input, batch processing, batch output The processing of claims at a medical aid is an example of such a system. Members submit claims, which are batched together and then entered in the CIS. All the entered batches are updated at the end of each day. Routine claim reports, indicating the claims of the previous week, are extracted and distributed every Monday morning.  Batch input, batch processing, interactive output For example, twice a week, the gym partner of a medical aid provides the medical aid with batch of electronic source documents in one file. This file contains the number of times each member of the medical aid visited the gym. The batch source documents contained in the electronic file are imported when received. The transaction files containing the gym data are updated every Saturday. The members can view their information on the medical aid’s secure website as soon as the transaction file has been updated.  Online input, batch processing, interactive output For example, each branch of the organisation enters its request for inventory online as needed. The transaction file containing the different branches’ requests is updated to the master file every two days. The branch manager can extract order information directly from the operational system.  Online input, real-time processing, interactive output An example of such a system is the processing of a transaction at a bank’s automatic teller machine (ATM). The customer enters the transaction at the ATM. The transaction is immediately updated to the master file and the customer receives a receipt with the transaction details and his or her new updated balance.  Storage of data and information O Flat file files; not related. Us