NCERT Class 12 Geography Use of Computer in Data Processing and Mapping

Use of Computer in Data Processing and Mapping

You have learnt various methods of data processing and representation that you can use to analyse the geographical phenomena in the preceding chapters. You must have observed that these methods are time consuming and tedious. Have you ever thought of a method of data processing and their graphical presentation that can save time and improve efficiency? If you have used a computer for word processing then you must have noticed that the computer is more versatile as it facilitates the onscreen editing of the text, copy and move it from one place to another, or even delete the unwanted text.

Similarly, the computer may also be used for data processing, preparation of diagrams/graphs and the drawing of maps, provided you have an access to the related application software. In other words, a computer can be used for a wide range of applications. It must, however, be clearly understood that a computer carries out the instructions it receives from the users. In other words, it cannot perform any function on its own. In the present chapter, we will discuss the use of computers in data processing and mapping.

What can a Computer do?

A computer is an electronic device. It consists of various sub-systems like memory, micro-processor, input system and output system. All these sub-systems work together to make it an integrated system. It is an extremely powerful device, which is apt to have an important effect on the systems of data processing, mapping and analysis. A computer is a fast and versatile machine that can perform simple arithmetic operations, such as, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and can also solve complex mathematical formulae. It also performs simple logical operations, distinguishing zero from non-zero and plus from minus and discharge the results. In short, a computer is a data processor that can perform substantial computation, including numerous arithmetic or logical operations, without intervention by a human operator during the run. 

Provided that you have the basic conceptual clarity, computer can be used very effectively to represent data through maps and diagrams. It makes your job extremely fast. The following advantages of a computer make it distinct from the manual methods:

1. It substantially increases the speed of the computation and data processing.

2. It can handle huge volume of the data, which is normally not possible manually.

3. It facilitates copy, edit, save and retrieve the data at will.

4. It further enables validation, checking and correction of data easily.

5. Aggregation and analysis of data becomes extremely simple. Computer makes it very easy to perform comparative analysis, whether by drawing maps or graphs.

6. The type of graph or map (i.e. bar/pie or types of shades), heading, indexing and other formats can be changed very easily. There are many other advantages that a computer offers, that you will observe yourselves while carrying out your practical work using a computer. Hardware Configuration and Software Requirements 

A computer as an aid to data processing and mapping comprises of hardware and software. The hardware configurations comprise of the storage, display, and input and output sub-systems, whereas software are the programs that are made up of electronic codes. The computer–aided data processing and mapping, hence

Excercises

1. Choose the correct option for the alternatives given below :

(i) What type of graph would you use to represent the following data?

     (a) Line    

     (b) Multiple bar graph

     (c) Pie-diagram

     (d) None of the above

(ii) Districts within a state would be represented in which type of spatial data?

     (a) Points

     (b) Lines

     (c) Polygons

     (d) None of the above

(iii) Which is the operator that is calculated first in a formula given in a cell of a worksheet?

     (a) +

     (b) –

     (c) /

     (d) ×

(iv) Function Wizard in Excel enables you to:

    (a) Construct graphs

    (b) Carry out mathematical/ statistical operations

    (c) Draw maps

    (d) None of the above

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words:

    (i) What are the functions of different parts of a computer?

    (ii) What are the advantages of using computer over manual methods of data processing and representation?

    (iii) What is a worksheet?

3. Answer the following questions in about 125 words:

    (i) What is difference between spatial and non-spatial data? Explain with examples.

    (ii) What is the three forms of geographical data?

Activity

1. Carry out the following steps using the given data set:

    (a) Enter the given data in a file and store in ‘My Documents’ folder (Name the file as rainfall).

    (b) Calculate the standard deviation and mean for the given data set using Function Wizard in Excel spreadsheet.

    (c) Compute coefficient of variation using the results derived in step (b).

    (d) Analyse the results.

2. Represent the data given below using a suitable technique with the help of a computer and analyse the graph.  

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 12 Geography Use of Computer in Data Processing and Mapping