Data Processing Cycle

The entire processing of data can be viewed in a cyclic manner. The series of steps performed to complete the processing of data to get the desired information is known as data processing cycle.
The data processing cycle involves the following major steps :
1. Data collection
2. Filing
3. Data Entry
4. Data Updating
5. Data processing (with programs)
6. Final Report Printing.

1. Data collection
The initial step in any data processing is the collection of data. We have to determine what type of data are required for obtaining the desired information or results after the completion of data processing cycle. The techniques applied for data collection may be Questionnaire forms or personal interviews depending on the type of job.
For S.L.C.(School Leaving Certificate) result processing, the data concerned with each of the student through out Nepal are collected  by filing up the prescribed form in each school, which are finally collected at the Controller's Office.

2. Filing system
A Data file can defined as a collection of data records of the same type. The collected data of a separate data-sheet are kept in files depending on their similarities. This process is known as filing. The forms sent from different schools of each district are kept in one file system.