Inputs & Outputs (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Revision Note

Inputs & Outputs

What is an input?

• An input is a value that is read from an input device and then processed by a computer program

• Typical input devices include:

  • Keyboards - Typing text

  • Mice - Selecting item, clicking buttons

  • Sensors - Reading data from sensors such as temperature, pressure or motion

  • Microphone - Capturing audio, speech recognition

• Without inputs, programs are not useful as they can't interact with the outside world and always produce the same result

• In programming the keyboard is considered the standard for user input

• If the command 'USERINPUT' is executed, a program will wait for the user to type a sequence of characters

• In other programming languages different command words can be used

Examples

What is an output?

• An output is a value sent to an output device from a computer program

• Typical output devices include:

  • Monitor - Displaying text, images or graphics

  • Speaker - Playing audio

  • Printer - Creating physical copies of documents or images

• In programming the monitor is considered the standard for user output

• If the command 'OUTPUT' is executed, a program will output to the screen

• In other programming languages different command words can be used

Example