Information processes and properties of information
Lessons 2 · 1 lessons · B. Boltayev, M. Mahkamov, A. Azamatov, S. Rahmonqulova. Informatics and Information Technologies, Grade 7. Revised and expanded third edition. “O‘zbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi” State Scientific Publishing House, Tashkent, 2017
2
Operations on information
Textbook: pp. 9–16
GoalLists information processes, tells the main properties of information (value, completeness, reliability) apart with examples, and explains the transmission scheme and analog versus discrete information.
New words
information process: any process made of operations on information · axborotli jarayoninformation carrier: a medium that holds information, e.g. a book or a flash drive · axborot tashuvchianalog information: continuous information, such as a temperature that changes smoothly · analog axborotdiscrete information: information in separate, countable pieces, such as digits or letters · diskret axborot
Explanation
Operations such as creating, collecting, searching, storing, sending, receiving, processing, copying and coding are carried out on information; every process built from these operations is called an information process. Information worth keeping should have at least three properties: it should be valuable (useful, though it can lose value over time), complete (it describes the event well enough) and reliable (true). Information can also be clear, short or detailed; data added to a task that is not needed is called redundant information. Besides human memory, information is stored on carriers such as books, paper, magnetic tape and flash drives. Processing means making one information object out of another by needed operations: either changing the meaning to get new information, or changing only the form without changing the meaning. Sending involves a source, a communication channel and a receiver. Information that changes continuously (air temperature, time) is analog, while information made of separate pieces (letters, digits) is discrete; discrete information written with digits is digital information. A computer is a digital device; today most phones and televisions are digital as well, and analog devices are mostly older technology (cassette recorders, old TVs).
Worked examples
The notice “Lesson at 14:30” gives the time but not the room – so it is not complete. An unsigned social-media post saying “the bridge closes tomorrow” is not reliable – its source must be checked first.
Retyping a table from your notebook into a computer changes only the form, not the meaning. Calculating the average temperature from a three-day table creates new information.
Class activity
“Broken telephone”: 6–7 pupils stand in a line; the first whispers a short sentence to the second and so on. Compare the last pupil’s sentence with the original and discuss where the information was distorted.
Practice
1
Give five examples of information processes.
For example: noting down (storing), drawing (creating), sending a letter (transmitting), copying a table, coding a text.
2
“A blue 40-seat bus left at 9:00 and travelled for 2 hours at 60 km/h. How far did it go?” Which data is redundant?
The colour, the number of seats and the departure time are redundant; only speed and time are needed: 60 × 2 = 120 km.
3
A wall clock with smoothly moving hands and a digital clock. Which gives analog and which discrete information?
The clock with hands – analog (continuous); the digital clock – discrete (with digits).
4
Why does yesterday’s weather forecast lose its value today? Give one more example.
Because it refers to a day that has passed and cannot help today’s plans. Another example: a poster for a concert that is already over.