Final answer:
Private lines are not a programmed control because they are secure communication channels and do not perform automated checks on data; whereas validity tests, self-checking numbers, and limit tests are all examples of programmed controls that verify the correctness of input data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seeks to identify which of the options provided does not represent a programmed control. The options given are:
- Private lines
- Validity tests
- Self-checking numbers
- Limit tests
Programmed controls are automated checks within computer systems or applications designed to ensure the accuracy and validity of the data being entered or processed. Validity tests, self-checking numbers, and limit tests are all typical examples of programmed controls. These are built into software to automatically verify the correctness or acceptability of input data.
On the other hand, private lines are not a programmed control. Private lines refer to secure communication channels that are used to transmit information between two points, but they do not perform any automated checks on the data itself as part of the transmission process. Hence, option A) Private lines is not a programmed control.