The major tasks of data processing

This paper reviews the historical development of data processing, discerning three approximate decades of distinct evolutionary cycles. Each cycle is seen as forking, two contrasting styles of data processing forming and separating during the cycle. On this basis, a classification of the major general areas of data processing is suggested. For each decade, characteristic aspects are discussed and both the lines of development are described. Finally, some observations regarding the present decade and its requirements are given, and some predictions relating to the next decade and its prerequisites are made.