Basic data processing operations

Five basic operations are characteristic of all data process­ing systems: inputting, storing, processing, outputting, and con­trolling. They are defined as follows.

Inputting is the process of entering data, which are collected facts, into a data processing system. Storing is saving data or information so that they are available for initial or for additional processing. Processing represents performing arithmetic or log­ical operations on data in order to convert them into useful in­formation. Outputting is the process of producing useful infor­mation, such as a printed report or visual display.

Английский язык. Основы компьютерной грамотности 46

Controlling is directing the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are performed.