CHAPTER 3
DATA MANAGEMENT
Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
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Explain how to convert, process, transfer, and verify data files.
Describe how to input and manipulate data on a computer system.
Calculate storage and memory requirements for computer systems and data.
Explain how to perform software configurations and how to install and
upgrade software.
Review I/O file specifications and determine system I/O requirements.
Explain how to analyze the requirements, review the structure, identify the
problems and change the structures of databases.
Data management incorporates many aspects of
data manipulation and inputting, calculating storage
and memory requirements, and computer software.
You will need to know how to install applications
software so it works and be familiar with all types of
productivity software. Database management
techniques will aid you in understanding how databases
are analyzed, how to review and change structures, and
how to identify problems.
DATA ADMINISTRATION
Data administration is an ongoing concern of
management. Data administration encompasses all the
technical and management duties required for
converting, processing, transferring, verifying, and
inputting data. Over the years, data resources in the
Navy have grown in size and complexity. It is apparent
that not all of the data problems within the Navy are
resolved with the use of software. Some are taken care
of with hard work.
DATA MANAGEMENT
Data management programs or routines are
concerned with reading and writing data, locating data
files, controlling I/O devices, handling I/O errors and
requests, and providing space on output media for new
files. In short, data management routines oversee the
locating, accessing, outputting, and maintenance of
data files. Can you imagine yourself trying to keep
track of the location of all data files, which disk pack
each is on, and which disk pack is mounted on which
online disk drive.
To try to do this would be
overwhelming. Thanks to data management routines,
you are relieved of this responsibility.
The converting, transferring, and verifying of data
files is left up to the operator to perform. All of these
processes are completed by the use of application utility
programs. The transferring and verifying of data files is
accomplished by using a copy utility. Data file
conversion is accomplished by a utility of the software
program being used, such as converting a
WordPerfect® file into a Microsoft® Word file.
There are several different ways to accomplish the
inputting of data into the system. The oldest technique
is data entry, keying the data off of source documents
straight into the system. The most common ways are
inputting the data from a tape or disk file. These files are
produced from another job or from another installation,
such as status of supply parts.
Once the data is inputted into the computer system,
we have the capability of manipulating the data by
copying, appending, deleting, and editing it. Copying
and appending are used primarily for manipulating
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