What does 'real-time processing' refer to in digital systems?

Real-time processing in digital systems refers to the capability to process data immediately as it is recorded. This means that as data is being collected, the system can analyze and respond to that data instantaneously, allowing for timely decision-making and actions to be taken based on the current state of the information. This is particularly important in applications such as medical monitoring, where immediate feedback can be critical to patient care.

In contrast, storing data for later analysis, while useful, does not qualify as real-time processing because it involves a delay between data collection and data processing. Similarly, the speed at which a device operates is not inherently tied to real-time processing; a device could operate quickly but still not process data in real-time. Lastly, the method of compressing signals pertains to data management techniques rather than the immediate processing of data as it is being collected.