Data Entry, Output, Storage and Memory

Data entry

Data entry or input is the process by which raw data is captured and recorded. Input can be an automated or manual process. Regardless of what type of input is selected, accuracy is critical to the desired output. (Stair & Reynolds, 2006). The type of data to be entered determines the data input method. For example, printed questionnaires are best suited for manual data entry. Questionnaires tend to be unstructured and may require interpretation by the survey issuer. An example of data that is better suited to electronic entry is bank checks. A high volume of checks means more instances of error in data entry. Today, check images are used instead of actual checks, reducing errors and the length of time it takes to clear for release of funds. An increasingly popular mechanism for data collection is the telephone. Telephone surveys and On-line data collection for customer satisfaction and market research are becoming the data collection tools of choice for businesses that want to understand their demographics and service their customers better. Telephone survey data collection is an automated process, the computer dials, asks questions and records data. If a live operator is used, the data can be entered manually as it is given. Other types of data for entry are retail tags and long documents. Scanning is more often the preferred method for entering these types of data.

Output

Output is the useful information retrieved after data has been input and processed. Output comes in various forms from various peripherals. Examples of output devices are printers and display screens. (Stair & Reynolds, 2006). In business, examples of common outputs are documents such as manager reports or employee paychecks. Depending on the hardware being used or type of output desired, different situations may require various forms of output from different output devices. Output on a handheld computer may be limited to what is displayed on the screen. However, if the computer is connected to a high resolution, quality color printer, a photograph that was confined to the display screen may now be printed. Resumes and memos should be printable as well as displayable on a screen. Resumes and memos should also be email friendly. Other items such as statistical reports and company annual reports should be printable as well as viewable on line, such as on a web page.

Storage

Data is stored based on a few different criteria which include type of data, quantity of data and how long the data is stored. Examples of storage mediums are hard disks, floppy disks, random access memory (RAM), CD ROM and tape.

A hard disk is a non-volatile storage device which stores encoded data on rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. (Brain, 2007). Information stored on a hard drive includes necessary data such as operating system files. Data is stored onto the disk in the form of files. A file is simply a named collection of bytes. The bytes might be the ASCII codes for the characters of a text file, or they could be the instructions of a software application for the computer to execute, or they could be the records of a data base. (Brain, 2007). Another form of storage is a floppy disk. A floppy disk is used when data needs to be moved from one computer to another or