INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION PROCESSES AND DATA
TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING Transmitting and receiving is the
Transmitting and receiving is the information process that transfers data and information within and between information systems. Transmitting is the process of sending data or information and receiving is the process of acquiring data or information. Both these processes allow
for communication between different devices, these devices may be components within a single computer or the devices themselves maybe different computers. For example; transmitting and receiving occurs between the CPU and random access memory (RAM) and it also occurs between a home computer and other remote computers using the Internet. The communication could also be between non-computer devices, such as telephones, mail, radio, television or even speech.
All successful communication requires 3 basic components, namely, a sender, a medium and a receiver. The sender encodes the message and transmits it over the medium. The receiver subsequently receives the message via the medium and decodes it. For example, when having a conversation messages are encoded into sound waves, which are sent using the air as the medium, the receiver uses their ear
to detect and then decode these sound waves. The encoding process organises the data into a form suitable for transmission over the medium. In our speaking example, language is transformed by the sender’s voice box into sound waves. Similarly, the
GROUP TASK Activity
For each of the above, list any processes occurring that produce a new value or result by altering or updating data.
GROUP TASK Discussion
Each of the above dot points describes a scenario that makes use of a computer. Discuss appropriate alternative methods of processing should the computer fail.
Speaker (Sender)
Air (Medium)
Listener (Receiver) Sound waves
(Encoded message)
Fig 2.6
Speech is an example of transmitting and receiving.
Transmitting and receiving The information process that transfers data and information within and between
information systems.
receiver must retrieve the encoded message from the medium and make sense of it; in our example, the receiver’s ear detects the sound waves, and their brain decodes these sound waves back into language.
Successful communication only occurs when messages are received accurately and on time. Both sender and receiver must understand the precise nature of the transmission together with when each transmission will commence and end. For this to occur requires both parties to agree on the way the data is represented as well as how the data is to be transferred across the medium. Important considerations include:
• The direction of the transfer.
• Format of the data.
• Speed of the transmission.
• Rules governing the transmission.
• Methods for directing messages to their destination.
• Techniques for dealing with communication errors.
In Chapter 8, we examine each of the above points in some detail.
Consider the following:
Sending an email is, on the surface, a transmitting process, however it actually includes all of the seven basic information processes. Typing the message, entering the email address of the recipient and hitting the send button are all part of the collecting process. The message is then organised into a suitable format for transmission to the sender’s mail server. If an ADSL connection is used then the message is modulated for transmission via the phone lines. Once the message arrives at the mail server it is decoded back into its original digital form. The mail server then analyses the recipients email address and determines the address of the associated mail server. If the mail server’s address is
successfully recovered then the message is reorganised into packets in preparation for transmission onto the Internet. Eventually the message reaches its destination mail server where the whole process is repeated in reverse. Finally the message is stored on the recipient’s computer and appears in their inbox. Amazingly this all seems to work, most of the time!
Fig 2.7
Sending an email is, on the surface, a transmitting process, however it really includes all seven information processes.
GROUP TASK Discussion
Identify each action in the above scenario as one of the seven information processes. As all seven information processes are occurring then is it reasonable to classify sending an email as a transmitting process? Discuss.
DISPLAYING
The word display, in terms of computers, usually implies a screen or monitor. So the process of displaying would mean the act of presenting information on a screen. In this course displaying has a far broader meaning, in fact it’s meaning is closer to the general meaning of the word displaying. Displaying means to show, to put into view or to exhibit. This is
primarily what the displaying process does; it puts information on show so people can view it. For our purposes the displaying process outputs information from an information system for presentation to the user (or participant). The information could be any combination of text, graphics, video, sound or any other type of output. The displaying process is vital to the achievement of the system’s purpose, it controls what the end users see. The displayed information provides a window into the system for users, it is their only view of the system and hence its impact is significant.
To display information requires decisions in regard to the form in which the information will be displayed.
Questions such as how text will be formatted, what resolution is needed for an image, or the most suitable volume for playing audio must be considered prior to actually displaying this information. Other questions will relate to the hardware that is to be used for displaying. For example, will a video be played on digital hardware or analog hardware, is the information designed to be displayed on a monitor or printer, if printed then what resolution is needed? The information needs to be displayed in a manner that will best achieve the purpose of the information system.
Consider the following:
Each of the following scenario’s fundamental purpose is to display information, however various other information processes are used to achieve this purpose.
1. Designing a personal web page.
2. Formatting a school assignment.
3. Recording a voice mail greeting.
4. Creating a graph to convey the results of a survey.
5. Taking a video of a friend’s wedding.
GROUP TASK Activity
For each of the above, identify the information processes occurring that lead to the final display of information.
GROUP TASK Activity
For each scenario, identify likely hardware and/or software tools that would be used to display the final information.
Displaying
The information process by which information is output from the system to meet a purpose. It controls the format of the information presented to the participant or user.
Fig 2.8
Some common display devices:
a monitor, inkjet printer, laser printer and speakers.
A local preschool intends to install digital video cameras within each of its rooms.
The video is to be broadcast live on the Internet so parents can monitor their children throughout the day.
(a) Identify the information technology required for such a system.
(b) Identify and outline the signifcant information processes occurring within this system.
(c) Many of the preschool teachers and some of the parents are strongly against the installation of the video cameras. Describe the likely nature of their concerns.
Suggested Solution
(a) Video cameras in each room, computer in each room, webserver (or streaming server) software, high performance computer to run web or streaming server software, LAN hardware and software to link each classroom to the high performance machine, high speed Internet connection.
(b) Video data is collected using the video cameras. This data is processed and compressed on each classroom computer and then transmitted over the LAN to the main computer. The main computer receives requests from machines on the Internet and responds by streaming the desired video to that machine where it is displayed.
(c) Preschool teachers would be concerned about their own and their student’s rights to privacy. Knowing that parents, and perhaps other unknown persons, are viewing the classroom would be intimidating for teachers. They will feel their every word and action is being watched and would be concerned about possible issues parents may have with their classroom techniques. Parents would not like other parents and other persons to be able to monitor the activities of their children, particularly if their child misbehaves. There may also be legitimate concerns in regard to paedophiles watching and targeting children.
Comments
(a) Assumptions about the pre-school computers and web or streaming server are necessary for this system even though they are not specifically detailed in the question. Simpler information technology could also have been described. In an examination this question would likely attract 2 or 3 marks.
(b) The suggested solution includes examples of collecting, processing, transmitting, receiving and displaying. The processes described relate to a system that uses the inforamtion technology identified in part (a). In an examination this question would likely attract 3 or 4 marks.
(c) It is important to address the concerns of both parents and teachers. In an examination this question would likely attract 3 or 4 marks.
HSC style question:
SET 2B
1. The information process that arranges and represents data is:
(A) Organising.
(B) Analysing.
(C) Storing and retrieving.
(D) Processing.
2. The only information process that alters the actual data is:
(A) Organising.
(B) Analysing.
(C) Storing and retrieving.
(D) Processing.
3. The information process that transforms data into information is:
(A) Organising.
(B) Analysing.
(C) Storing and retrieving.
(D) Processing.
4. Determining the maximum value within a set of values could best be described as an:
(A) Organising process.
(B) Analysing process.
(C) Processing process.
(D) Displaying process.
5. An existing customer’s name is entered, the customer’s record is then located and deleted from a database located on a file server, finally a confirmation message is generated.
This description includes:
(A) collecting, analysing, processing and displaying
(B) all seven information processes.
(C) all information processes except organising.
(D) all information processes except analysing.
6. A query returns a set of records that meet certain criteria. The main information process occurring is:
(A) Organising.
(B) Analysing.
(C) Transmitting and receiving.
(D) Displaying
7. During a normal telephone conversation the main information processes are:
(A) collecting and displaying.
(B) collecting, transmitting and receiving, and displaying..
(C) collecting, processing and displaying.
(D) collecting, and transmitting and receiving.
8. Non-volatile storage:
(A) requires energy to maintain the data.
(B) is used to hold instructions and data during processing.
(C) is permanent and does not require energy to maintain the data.
(D) is often called main memory.
9. A raw image file is compressed and saved onto a local hard disk. The main information processes being used are:
(A) collecting, organising and displaying.
(B) analysing, processing and storing.
(C) processing, transmitting and storing.
(D) organising, processing and storing.
10. The displaying process results in:
(A) output to a monitor.
(B) output directed to any of the other information processes.
(C) output of any type directed to an entity outside the system.
(D) the output of information from the system in a form suitable for humans.
11. For each of the following information processes, describe the general nature of the actions taking place:
(a) Collecting (b) Organising (c) Analysing
(d) Storing and retrieving (e) Processing
(f) Transmitting and receiving (g) Displaying
12. Classify each of the following scenarios according to the information process that best describes the actions taking place. Justify your answer in each case.
(a) A driving instructor completes a student’s Learner Driver Log Book at the completion of each driving lesson.
(b) Email software downloads new messages from a mail server.
(c) The sound card in a computer converts digital signals to analog before sending them to a speaker.
(d) Universities calculate ATARs based on HSC results from the Board of Studies.
(e) A retailer increases the price of all their products by 5%.
13. A pocket calculator can be thought of as an information system. Identify and describe the information processes occurring during a simple calculation such as 2 + 9.
Refer to the dataflow diagram below when answering Question 14 and 15.
14. Describe the processes that occur once a student completes their order form.
15. What syllabus information processes are occurring during each process on the dataflow diagram?
Explain your answers.