... of possible values. Surname data, for example, will take values like Smith, Brown etc. However, since computers can process only numerical data, other types of data must be coded as numbers before they are input to a computer system. For example, characters are usually coded using the internationally agreed ASCII codes where A is represented by the number 65, B by the number 66 and so on. In the supermarket example, the data has arisen directly as the result of the sale. The data will be automatically captured and processed as the transaction takes place. Indeed some of the processing produces immediate output at the till in the form of an itemised receipt and the total amount due from the customer. In some situation data is produced as the result of processing. Here the output from the computer system is to be used as input for another or the same system. An ...

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