Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS)

CENTRY

[an error occurred while processing this directive] CENTRY is a screen-oriented, menu-driven software package for developing data entry applications. Specifically, CENTRY can be used for entering, editing, verifying, and modifying data and for collecting statistics on data entry operator performance. CENTRY expedites entry of data from national population and housing censuses as well as other types of statistical data, such as from agriculture, demographic, and labor force surveys.

CENTRY is the data entry component of the Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS), a series of software packages for entry, editing, tabulation, estimation, analysis, and dissemination of census and survey data. IMPS was developed by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Distribution of IMPS is funded jointly by the Bureau of the Census and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Data Entry Capabilities

Screen Design - The layout of the data entry screens is extremely flexible. Any sequence of entry of fields on a screen can be defined. Identification fields may be duplicated on any screen for reference.
Data Structure - The structure of the data file and the contents of identification fields are maintained at all times. You can define data fields that apply to a batch of data, to a questionnaire, or to a record. CENTRY will ensure that batch fields have the same value for all records in the batch and ensure that questionnaire fields have the same value for all records in a questionnaire.
ID Checking - The identification fields entered on a questionnaire can be checked against a file containing valid identification fields. The identification fields on the file are marked when they are used. If the identification fields entered on a questionnaire are invalid or have already been used by a previously entered questionnaire, an error message is generated.
Valid Value Checking - When a value is entered for a field, it is checked against set of valid values for that field. If the value is not a valid value, an error message is given.
Skipping Fields - CENTRY allows the data entry operator to control the skipping of fields, or it can establish computer controlled skips based on the values of previously entered fields.
Consistency Editing - When entry or modification of a questionnaire is completed, an edit program can be called to check for consistency between data fields and to display messages when inconsistencies occur. This feature is especially useful when processing surveys.
Modification- CENTRY can be used to examine or modify data which already have been entered, either through CENTRY or through other data entry systems. You can change any value in a file as well as insert or delete records or questionnaires.
Verification - After the initial entry of data, the data may be reentered and compared with the initially entered values. Whenever a reentered value is different from the initial value, an error message appears. You can verify all the fields in a questionnaire or a subset of them. You can verify every questionnaire, or every nth questionnaire.
Data File - The data file generated and modified by CENTRY is always maintained in ASCII character format, ready to be used by other software packages.
Operator Statistics - During each data entry session, a log is kept of the time spent in each mode (entry, modify, verify) the number of key strokes and the number of errors.

Processing Methodology

CENTRY operates in two modes: The Develop Applications Mode and the Data Entry Mode. In the Develop Applications Mode, a data entry application is created, that is, the screen layouts, cursor movement, and skip patterns are defined. The application is then copied to the computers used for keying the census or survey data. Operators use the Data Entry Mode together with the application to enter data.

It is possible to perform simple or complex edits using CENTRY, either at the time of entry of the data or after the data have been entered. CENTRY automatically checks data items for validity by comparing what is entered to the values specified in the Data Dictionary for each item. More complex edits, such as consistency edits and questionnaire structure edits, can be performed by having CENTRY call a CONCOR edit program whenever entry or modification of a questionnaire is completed. CONCOR is the editing component of IMPS. The CONCOR program checks for consistency between data fields and displays messages when inconsistencies occur.

Data Dictionary

To use CENTRY, a description of the file to be entered must be given. To create this description, you use the Data Dictionary component of IMPS, which is provided with CENTRY. The Data Dictionary lets you name each data item in the file, specify its location within a data record, and define the values it may have. These values are used by CENTRY to test items for valid values.

Network

CENTRY can be on a local area network (LAN). When used on a LAN, any CENTRY file can be stored either on the local machine or on the network file server. CENTRY programs, applications, and ID check files can be shared by multiple users. Data batches can be used only by one operator at a time. CENTRY provides warning messages if two or more operators try to use the same data file at the same time.

Performance

CENTRY can keep pace with the fastest keyer. It is designed to protect data against loss because of power failures. When a questionnaire is completed, data from that questionnaire is written to disk before the next questionnaire is referenced. Thus, in a power failure, only the questionnaire currently being entered or modified is lost.

Minimum Hardware and Software

IBM PC or compatible microcomputer
10M bytes hard diskfor Applications Developer;
in Data Entry mode, CENTRY can run on a 2-diskette drive system with no hard disk
DOS 3.2 or higher