ATa processing, signal processing> Performing some predefined sequence of operATions on an input to produce an output or change of internal stATe activity specifically involving the computer' s CPU. The term is often qualified: "dATa processing" treATs digital dATa, "signal processing" treATs analog dATa (possibly in digital form), "word processing" takes in typed human language input and produces digital documents, {image processing} transforms digital {images}. (2003-10-23)