This short information technology educational film from Edutronics, Inc. and distributed by McGraw-Hill provides a brief overview of how basic file maintenance operates in the field of data processing. The film uses an animated flowchart to explain how basic file maintenance works and show the various steps of quality control checks for validity built into the data processing process. The film also features several photographs to accompany the chart. The film opens with a “big picture” look of how data processing works, mapping out the process using a flow chart. The process begins with the input of a “source document.” The flow chart goes through the following steps after the source document is discussed: “key punch,” “transaction cards,” “validity check,” “error messages” and “counts,” “sort,” “messages and counts,” “file maintenance,” “inspect counts,” “report preparation,” and “special files.” The film then shows several photographs of men and women working at a computer station processing data (05:14). The film reviews the entire sequence of how the basic file maintenance works through the “Principles of Data Processing” flowchart, ending the film.
Data processing is, generally, “the collection and manipulation of items of data to produce meaningful information.” In this sense it can be considered a subset of information processing, “the change (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer.” The term Data Processing (DP) has also been used to refer to a department within an organization responsible for the operation of data processing applications.
A very simple example of a data processing system is the process of maintaining a check register. Transactions— checks and deposits— are recorded as they occur and the transactions are summarized to determine a current balance. Monthly the data recorded in the register is reconciled with a hopefully identical list of transactions processed by the bank. A more sophisticated record keeping system might further identify the transactions— for example deposits by source or checks by type, such as charitable contributions. This information might be used to obtain information like the total of all contributions for the year. The important thing about this example is that it is a system, in which, all transactions are recorded consistently, and the same method of bank reconciliation is used each time.
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
