← Years 7–8 Creating Digital Solutions

Input and output shapes in a flowchart

The flowchart shape for an input or output step, like getting a name from the user or showing a result. Write the action and variable inside, e.g. Input age.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Designing and tracing algorithms — Module 24, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Requirements and design tools — Module 10, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 12, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7b Decomposition and Sub-systems — Module 28, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 46

Understanding Input and output shapes in a flowchart in Years 7–8 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: The word Input tells us the user gives a value, and score is the variable where that value is stored. A parallelogram is used for input and output. A diamond is used for decisions. Write the action (Input) and the variable name (age) inside the shape so the step is clear. Showing a result is an output step, so it goes in a parallelogram. Working out a value is a process step and goes in a rectangle. Input steps use a parallelogram, not a rectangle. Naming the variable (height) shows exactly what is being stored. Vague words like 'something' don't tell us.

Common mistakes: Showing a result is an output step, so it needs a parallelogram, not a rectangle. Rectangles are for processing steps such as calculations. It should be 'Parallelogram: Output next'. A diamond is used for decisions. Getting a name from the user is an input step, so it needs a parallelogram: 'Parallelogram: Input name'.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 3–47) and word search (Modules 3–125).

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Learning

Duo

Which shape shows an input or output step in a flowchart?

ParallelogramDiamond

Matches

Rectangle containing: Input age

↓

Input is drawn in a rectangle. Input and output steps must go in a parallelogram, because rectangles are for processes like calculations.

Applying

Meanings

Term

parallelogram

Meaning

The flowchart shape for an input or output step, like getting a name from the user or showing a result. Write the action and variable inside, e.g. Input age.

Practice

Start (oval)

Testing

Gaps

Shape for input or output:

Check Answer

Spots

3Rectangle: next <- age + 1

4Rectangle: Output next

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Quick Questions

1. Which shape shows an input or output step in a flowchart?

A. Parallelogram ✓

B. Diamond

A parallelogram is used for input and output. A diamond is used for decisions.

2. You want to show a step where the user types in their age. Which is the best label for the parallelogram?

A. age

B. Input age ✓

Write the action (Input) and the variable name (age) inside the shape so the step is clear.

3. Which step belongs in a parallelogram?

A. Output total ✓

B. total <- 5 + 3

Showing a result is an output step, so it goes in a parallelogram. Working out a value is a process step and goes in a rectangle.

4. A flowchart needs to ask for a player's name. Which is correct?

A. A rectangle labelled Input name

B. A parallelogram labelled Input name ✓

Input steps use a parallelogram, not a rectangle.

5. Which parallelogram label is an OUTPUT step?

A. Output score ✓

B. Input score

Output means showing something to the user, such as the score. Input means getting something from the user.

Match the Pairs

Input age → A parallelogram step that asks the user to enter a value and stores it in the variable age

Output total → A parallelogram step that shows the value of the variable total to the user

An input step in a parallelogram names the variable that will store the user's answer → Input score

An output step in a parallelogram shows the user the value held in a variable → Output average

Rectangle containing: Input age → Input is drawn in a rectangle. Input and output steps must go in a parallelogram, because rectangles are for processes like calculations.

Parallelogram containing: Input → The input step does not name a variable. It should say which variable stores the value, such as Input name.

Key Term

parallelogram

The flowchart shape for an input or output step, like getting a name from the user or showing a result. Write the action and variable inside, e.g. Input age.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Shape for input or output: parallelogram

Hint: Type the name of the flowchart shape used for input and output steps.

2. Parallelogram: Input name

Hint: Type the keyword for a step that gets data from the user.

3. Parallelogram: Input score Diamond: score > 50?

Hint: Type the variable name that the next decision step checks.

4. Rectangle: total <- a + b Parallelogram: Output total

Hint: Type the keyword for a step that shows a result to the user.

5. Parallelogram: Input name Parallelogram: Output name

Hint: Type the variable that was input, so it is shown back to the user.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input age

C Rectangle: next <- age + 1

D Rectangle: Output next

E Oval: End

Line D — Showing a result is an output step, so it needs a parallelogram, not a rectangle. Rectangles are for processing steps such as calculations. It should be 'Parallelogram: Output next'.

Question 2

A Oval: Start

B Diamond: Input name

C Parallelogram: Output name

D Oval: End

Line B — A diamond is used for decisions. Getting a name from the user is an input step, so it needs a parallelogram: 'Parallelogram: Input name'.

Question 3

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input

C Parallelogram: Output score

D Oval: End

Line B — An input step must name the variable that will store the value. It should be 'Parallelogram: Input score' so the later output step can use it.

Question 4

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input price

C Rectangle: cost <- price * 2

D Parallelogram: Output total

E Oval: End

Line D — The output step must show a variable the flowchart has already set. The variable is cost, and total was never created. It should be 'Parallelogram: Output cost'.

Question 5

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Output temp

C Rectangle: hot <- temp > 30

D Parallelogram: Output hot

E Oval: End

Line B — The algorithm needs the user to give it temp before it can use it, so this must be an input step. Showing temp here would display a value that does not exist yet. It should be 'Parallelogram: Input temp'.

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