What Is Expanded Data Processing Cycle?

The data processing cycle is the process that a computer goes through when running a program. When you ask a computer to run a program or carry out a task or a command, it is not just a case of the machine going from A to B to C. It needs to run a cycle of commands and procedures continually in order to make sure the process runs smoothly.

The computer's Central Processing Unit, or CPU, is continually turning over and involves a number of tasks, this runs in the form of a loop with a number of basic commands:

• Firstly, the computer's CPU will receive instructions from the machine's memory (RAM), which is basically the user asking it to do something.
• The computer will then look to locate and data or files in order to carry out this request or command, these are usually retrieved from the hard drive or from an external source.
• The machine will now use this data in order to carry out the program or command it has been requested.
• Any data created or files which have come about due to these requests will be stored by the computer for possible future use.

The process continues as long as the computer is being used and obviously, the larger the machine's memory, the more cycles the computer can and will be asked to carry out. If you are trying to run a lot of program on a computer with little memory, you will see a noticeable slowing down of the computer as the CPU tries to carry out the commands.