1. What does processing mean? — The action or series of actions to transform or manipulate data.
2. How would you define data processing? — The processing of data refers to the operations performed on data to convert them into useful information.
3. What is the significance of the term data processing system? — The term data processing system encompasses the resources and facilities used for information processing.
4. What are the fundamental operations included in a data processing system? — The fundamental operations in a data processing system involve inputting, storing, processing, and outputting information.
5. What does inputting/storing/outputting information refer to? — Inputting refers to providing data to a computer system, storing refers to saving data for future use, and outputting refers to generating and displaying or producing information as a result of processing.
6. How do you interpret the term resources? — Resources refer to the assets or components used in data processing, such as hardware, software, and human resources.
7. How did ancient Egyptians convert facts into useful information? — Ancient Egyptians utilized information to predict crop yields and converted facts into useful information through their knowledge and observation.
8. When were mechanical aids for computation developed? — Mechanical aids for computation were developed in the past, but the specific time is not mentioned in the text.
9. What is the concept of data storage hierarchy? — The concept of data storage hierarchy refers to the arrangement and organization of different levels or types of storage, ranging from high-speed and expensive storage to slower and cheaper storage, based on accessibility and cost.
10. What are the general categories in a data storage hierarchy? — The general categories in a data storage hierarchy include primary storage, secondary storage, and tertiary storage, with varying levels of speed, capacity, and cost.

Exercise 4:
Information processing systems — Системы обработки информации
the definition of data processing — Определение обработки данных
a collection of facts — Совокупность фактов
a sequence of actions — Последовательность действий
transforming input data into useful information — Преобразование входных данных в полезную информацию
encompass resources — Охватывать ресурсы
complete data processing — Полная обработка данных
provide input to a computer — Предоставлять входные данные компьютеру
printer tapes — Принтерные ленты
consume in large quantities — Потреблять в больших количествах
allocate computer equipment — Распределять компьютерное оборудование
require the presence of modern life — Требовать наличия в современной жизни
throughout prehistoric times — На протяжении доисторических времен
convert information into expressions — Преобразовывать информацию в выражения
record tides and currents — Записывать приливы и течения
forecast grain crop yields — Прогнозировать урожайность зерновых культур
mechanical computing devices — Механические вычислительные устройства
data input — Ввод данных
data storage — Хранение данных
initial data processing — Первичная обработка данных
further processing — Дальнейшая обработка
output of useful information — Вывод полезной информации
printed message — Печатное сообщение
visual display — Визуальный дисплей
sequence of storing