what do understand by data processing? what are the basic elements of compterised data processing?

what do understand by data processing? what are the basic elements of compterised data processing?

ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM the total system of a computer installation consists of the following elements: 1               THE HARDWARE ... 03:40

ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
the total system of a computer installation consists of the following elements:

1               THE HARDWARE AND
2                     SOFTWARE

1.  Hardware. it is a general term which refers all the physical components or equipment used in the constriction of the computer itself. it covers all tangible items of the computer. these items can be seen or touched. it includes (1) input devices (2) output devices (3) central processing unit (4) key bored (5) printer (6) magnetic tapes (7) backing storage devices etc. when this hardware is linked together it is called a computer installation.

2.  Software. it is a general term which describes computer programmers. it mostly consists of programmed meant to control and direct the performance of a computer. without software a computer is like a car without petrol. software governs the working of computer. software can not be seen whereas hardware is one which we can see.

A major achievement in the software system is the development of packaged logic or general automatic programming based on common language. in this connection, two programming language are in most extensive use-_ COBOL and FORTRAN.

COBOL (common business oriented language) refers to the programming in English language which can be applied in a wide variety of digital computers for solution of business problems.
FORTRAN(formula translation) represent an automatic coding system based on the ordinary language of mathematics developed primary by IBN ( international business machines inc.) and designed to solve any numerical computation problem relating to large sets of formulas and many variables.

in order to use the computer solve problems. we must have hardware as well as appropriate software. presence of only on of these is of no use. the hardware and appropriate software put together is referred to as computer system.