AS computing Data Entry

Structured data This kind of data has a structure. Word processed documents are usually structured. They have paragraphs, indentation is used, some words are underlines, some are in bold and the test is justified. The purpose of structuring the text is to make it more readable. Adding formatting information does increase the size of a file. This is not an issue with word processed documents, but can become an issue of the documents are large, involve a lot of formatting and must be transmitted over the internet.

Free text This kind of text has no formatting applied to it. The only information is the data and some spacing information. This is a useful format for s because it keeps the file size small, which ensures they are sent quickly.

Transaction data This kind of data is collected automatically and stored in a file. The transaction files being used to regularly update master files. One example is a payroll system. A computer stores employees’ ID and working information in a week. This is then processed with the the employees’ mater file to create all of the pay slips at the end of the week.

Data prepared off line Data is entered into a file and later on, a process is run that uses the data in the file. The data is not entered and processed at the same time. An example might be when you complete application forms for a driving licence and send them to DVLC. All of the applications are typed in as they are received. It is only at the end of the week when all of the applications are processed and driving licences produced. The data was entered off line, the processing that used the data took place a later date.