Design And Development Of A Database Management System For Student Registration

2.7    TYPES OF RESULT PROCESSING
Basically there are two types of result processing: the conventional result (manual) processing and electronic method of result processing. Result can be processed manually or with the aid of primitive tools such as tabs or calculators, which take heavy tools in manual input. The processing of result by machines in general in such a way as to reduce to a minimum the need for manual processing is referred to as automatic data processing (ADP). When result processing is mainly done by computers we refer to this as electronic data processing (EDP)
Generally the result processing methods are:
a.    Manually Method: This involves operations performed by a clerk assisted if desired by specific aids such as a pocket calculator or adding machine etc. this method processing is only suitable in cases where the volume of result to be processed small and there is not too much emphasis on the specific period of time the work must be completed. The processing is simple and in most cases, the employment of more hands will solve the problem of time constraint. Example is the updating of handwritten result records.
b.    Mechanical Method: This involves operations that are performed by machine consisting of a keyboard but which are actuated by depressing appropriate key by an operator. The results of this type of processing are printed on documents in specific columns. Example is the posting of lodgments and withdrawal on the personal customers’ ledger using an accounting machine.
c.    Electronic Method: This is more or less like the mechanical method except that in this case the machine being used is electronic and may have optional peripheral devices that are attached to it. It can be can be used for many accounting procedures including payroll, stock schedules and ledger updating. These days’ computers are being used. Result for input are entered through the keyboard, card reader, optical character/mark reader, tape reader, while processed result are printed or stored on auxiliary storage. Its processing speed is high and can therefore handle quite a large amount of result. Very suitable for processing tasks that are repetitive in nature.
2.8    THE BASIC FEATURES OF RESULT PROCESSING
Result processing is the term for the process of producing meaningful information by collecting all items of result together and performing operations on them to extract the required result from them. At one time electro-mechanical devices were widely used for result processing but the advent of versatile microcomputers hastened their demise (Eloba, 1998).
2.9    FACTORS DETERMINING THE METHODS OF RESULT PROCESSING
Common factors determining the methods of result processing can be under the following headings:
a.    Size and Type of Results: with each of the examples given, the method of producing the result will largely depend on the size and type of result. In a very small school a single person may be able to have the time to produce all the result required, but as the volume of result increases, more people and aids, in form of calculators and small computers, may be employed. Large volumes of result will require the use of large computers. In small schools the payroll will be a matter of simply paying a member of staff the same amount each month, whilst in others a complex payment by results system will have to be coped with. Similarly, invoicing may be simply a matter of virtually coping from the customer’s order, or it may require complex discount calculation. Simple situations indicate the need for fewer people and aid to produce the information and complex situations indicate the need for more people and aids (French, 1992).
b.    Timing Aspects: Some results requirements are less time critical that others. For example, the results for a semester may only be produced once in three months. The timing requirement for information will have considerable bearing on the methods and equipment needed to provide it.
2.10    RESULT PROCESSING STAGES
Whatever method, or combination of methods, is used it will be seen that result will pass through the same basic stages in the processing cycles.
The result processing stages are: Input (act of receiving result for processing)
➢    Sorting (arranging result in a desired order to make processing quicker and easier)
➢    Processing (operating on result in order to obtain desired result)
➢    Storage (filling away of result for later use).
➢    Output result of processing)
➢    Control    (regulating    the    different    result processing functions to ensure that the result is being processed effectively).