In the most general sense, information processing is the solution to an information task. Each of us once studied mathematics at school. It is she who will help to figure out what will be discussed further. Consider an elementary mathematical problem: class “A” students collected two tons of waste paper, and class “B” students collected half a ton less. How much paper was collected by students of both classes?
It seems that calling the correct answer does not make sense.
In the given task, we have a certain set of initial data. Based on them, you need to get a specific result. Actually, the transition from the first to the second is the processing of information in its purest form. Note that just during the decision you processed a certain amount of it. Therefore, there is every reason to say that you are a performer. Obviously, it can be not only a person, but numerous information processing devices, of which there are many. Their most striking representative is a regular personal computer.
What else characterizes the result? And it is characterized by the fact that it was possible to obtain new data. Which previously did not have the honor to exist or were not designated as a source. This happened due to their (data) transformation, carried out in full accordance with certain rules and algorithms.
In solving problems of the information type, one has to deal with processing, which is aimed at changing the form in which the initial data were submitted. This is characteristic of the following processes: systematization, search, coding.
For yourself, remember that information processing can be interpreted in two ways. Either as a solution to any informational task, or as a transition from the initial information to a specific result.
Therefore, information processing can be of two types. The first is related to the process of obtaining any new content. The second is connected with a change in the form of the data obtained, which, however, in no way changes their content.
Now let's talk about one of the varieties of the phenomenon under consideration, which is called "processing of
graphic information." Obviously, special technologies are required to work with such data.
In general, this kind of information is represented by all kinds of images, diagrams, graphs, sketches, and so on. And when we talk about special technologies, then we can not say about specialized
input devices of this type. To this class of devices can be attributed a conventional keyboard and mouse,
graphics tablet, scanner. Each of these tools has its own advantages. What unites them is one - ease of use in work. To perform the required operations with the entered images, you will need special software - graphic editors. Fortunately, today they have no numbers. Moreover, one or another program should be chosen not only in accordance with the level of training, but also with an eye to functionality. It is clear that the acquisition of a powerful editor for working with elementary diagrams is not a rational solution.