Stages of the data processing cycle are:
1. Data collection
Collecting data is the first step in data processing. Data is pulled from available sources, including data lakes and data warehouses. The data sources available must be trustworthy and well-built so the data collected is of the highest possible quality.
2. Data input
The clean data is then entered into its destination, and translated into a language that it can understand. Data input is the first stage in which raw data begins to take the form of usable information.
3. Data processing
During this stage, the data inputted to the computer in the previous stage is processed for interpretation. Processing is done using machine learning algorithms, though the process itself may vary slightly depending on the source of data being processed and its intended use (examining advertising patterns, the medical diagnosis from connected devices, determining customer needs, etc.).
4. Data output/interpretation
The output/interpretation stage is the stage at which data is finally usable to non-data scientists. It is translated, readable, and often in the form of graphs, videos, images, plain text, etc.). Members of the company or institution can now begin to self-serve the data for their own data analytics projects.
Types of Data Processing
1. Commercial Data Processing:
The commercial data processing means a method of applying standard relational databases, and it includes the usage of batch processing. It involves providing huge data as input into the system and creating a large volume of output but using less computational operations. It combines commerce and computers for making it useful for a business. The data that is processed through this system is usually standardized and therefore has a much lower chance of errors. Many manual works are automated through the use of computers to make them easy and error-proof. Computers are used in business to take raw data and process it into a form of information that is useful to the business. Accounting programs are prototypical examples of data processing applications. An Information System (IS) is the field that studies such as organizational computer systems.
2. Scientific Data Processing :
Unlike commercial data processing, Scientific data processing involves a large use of computational operations but lower volumes of inputs as well as outputs. The computational operations include arithmetical and comparison operations. In this type of processing, any chances of errors are not acceptable as it would lead to wrongful decision making. Hence the process of validating, sorting, and standardizing the data is done very carefully, and a wide variety of scientific methods are used to ensure no wrong relationships and conclusions are reached. This takes a longer time than in commercial data processing. The common examples of scientific data processing include processing, managing, and distributing science data products and facilitating scientific analysis of algorithms, calibration data, and data products as well as maintaining all software, calibration data, under strict configuration control.
3. Batch Processing:
Batch Processing means a type of Data Processing in which several cases are processed simultaneously. The data is collected and processed in batches, and it is mostly used when the data is homogenous and in large quantities. Batch Processing can be defined as concurrent, simultaneous, or sequential execution of an activity. Simultaneous Batch processing occurs when they are executed by the same resource for all the cases at the same time. Sequential Batch processing occurs when they are executed by the same resource for different cases either immediately or immediately after one another. Concurrent Batch processing means when they are executed by the same resources but partially overlapping in time. It is used mostly in financial applications or at places where additional levels of security are required. In this processing, the computational time is relatively less because applying a function to the whole data altogether extracts the output. It can complete work with a very little amount of human intervention.
4. Online Processing :
In the parlance of today’s database systems, “online” signifies “interactive”, within the bounds of patience.” Online processing is the opposite of “batch” processing. Online processing can be built out of several relatively more simple operators, much as traditional query processing engines are built. Online Processing Analytical operations typically involve major fractions of large databases. It should therefore be surprising that today’s Online analytical systems provide interactive performance. The secret to their success is precomputation. Many Online processing systems do that computation relatively inefficiently, but since the processing is done in advance, the end-user does not see the performance problem. This type of processing is used when data is to be processed continuously, and it is fed into the system automatically.
5. Real-Time Processing :
The current data management system typically limits the capacity of processing data on as and when basis because this system is always based on periodic updates of batches due to which there is a time lag by many hours in happening of an event and recording or updating it. This caused a need for a system that would be able to record, update and process the data on as and when basis, i.e. in real-time which would help in reducing the time lag between occurrence and processing to almost nil. Huge chunks of data are being poured into systems off organizations, hence storing and processing it in a real-time environment would change the scenario.
From data processing to analytics: Big data is changing how all of us do business. Today, remaining agile and competitive depends on having a clear, effective data processing strategy. While the steps of data processing won’t change, the cloud has driven huge advances in technology that deliver the most advanced, cost-effective, and fastest data processing methods to date.