Question

The most important output control is

A) distribution control, which assures that only authorized personnel receive the reports generated by the system.
B) review of data for reasonableness by someone who knows what the output should look like.
C) control totals, which are used to verify that the computer's results are correct.
D) logic tests, which verify that no mistakes were made in processing.

Answer 1

Output control mechanisms are vital in business systems for data accuracy and security. While distribution control, review by knowledgeable personnel, control totals, and logic tests are all important, control totals often stand out as crucial for validating the computer's results through numerical checks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the concept of output control in business systems, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of data. The most important output control is not explicitly defined as it could vary depending on the specific requirements of the system and the nature of the data being processed. The options given offer different mechanisms for ensuring data accuracy and security:

• Distribution control (A) focuses on making sure that only authorized individuals have access to reports.
• (B) emphasizes the importance of reviewing data for reasonableness by informed personnel.
• Control totals (C) help confirm the accuracy of computer-generated results.
• (D) involves logic tests to ensure no mistakes occurred during processing.

Comparing these options, the choice often depends on the specific context within which the system operates. However, in many cases, control totals are considered a very important method for validating processing accuracy, as they provide a straightforward numerical way to check calculations made by the system.