automatic data processing (ADP)

An interacting assembly of procedures, processes, methods, personnel, and equipment to perform automatically a series of data processing operations on data. Note: The data processing operations may result in a change in the semantic content of the data. 2. Data processing by means of one or more devices that use common storage for all or part of a computer program, and also for all or part of the data necessary for execution of the program; that execute user-written or user-designated programs; that perform user-designated symbol manipulation, such as arithmetic operations, logic operation, or character-string manipulations; and that can execute programs that modify themselves during their execution. Note: Automatic data processing may be performed by a stand-alone unit or by several connected units. 3. Data processing largely performed by automatic means. [JP 1-02] 4. That branch of science and technology concerned with methods and techniques relating to data processing largely performed by automatic means. [JP 1-02]