Input, process, output and storage

A digital system takes in data (input), works on it (process), keeps it (store) and shows a result (output).

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 4, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 2, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.1 Computer Architecture — Module 1, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.2 Input and Output Devices — Module 1, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7b Decomposition and Sub-systems — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Inside Digital Systems — Module 4, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 3, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 11

Understanding Input, process, output and storage in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: Store is the stage where data is saved, for example on a hard drive or in the cloud, so it is not lost. Working on data, such as adding numbers, is the process stage. The CPU does this work. Output shows a result to the user. A microphone is an input device because it takes sound in. Every digital system, including phones, tablets and game consoles, uses these four stages. The strokes are the data going in. The finished picture shown on the screen is the output. Data goes in first, is worked on, and then a result comes out. Storage can keep the data along the way.

Common mistakes: The process stage joins the text together. Strings are joined with +, not -. It should be greeting = 'Hi ' + name. Taking data in is the input stage, which needs input(). print() is an output command. It should be a = int(input('First? ')).

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning

Duo

Which stage of a digital system takes in data from the user?

OutputInput

Matches

Typing on a keyboard is output

↓

Typing sends data into the system, so it is input, not output. Output is what the system shows back.

Applying

Meanings

Term

input, process, store, output

Meaning

A digital system takes in data (input), works on it (process), keeps it (store) and shows a result (output).

Practice

Type out real code from this module.

Testing

Gaps

Typing on a keyboard is the stage

Check Answer

Spots

1name = input('Name? ')

2greeting = 'Hi ' - name

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Quick Questions

1. Which stage of a digital system takes in data from the user?

A. Output

B. Input ✓

Input is the stage where data goes into the system, for example when you type on a keyboard or tap a screen.

2. A student types a number into a calculator app. The calculator adds it to another number. Which stage is the adding?

A. Process ✓

B. Store

Working on data, such as adding numbers, is the process stage. The CPU does this work.

3. Which stage keeps data so it can be used again later?

A. Store ✓

B. Input

The store stage keeps data safe, for example saving a file to a hard drive or to the cloud.

4. Which is an example of the output stage?

A. A microphone records your voice

B. A printer prints a photo ✓

Output shows a result to the user. A microphone is an input device because it takes sound in.

5. A digital system is made of input, process, store and output.

A. True: every digital system takes in data, processes it, stores it and outputs a result ✓

B. False: only computers with a screen use these stages

Every digital system, including phones, tablets and game consoles, uses these four stages.

Match the Pairs

input → Data going into a digital system, such as a key press or a tap on a screen

process → The system works on the data, such as adding up numbers or sorting a list

A digital system keeps data so it can be used again later → store

A digital system shows the result of its work to the user, such as a picture on a screen → output

Typing on a keyboard is output → Typing sends data into the system, so it is input, not output. Output is what the system shows back.

input -> output -> process -> store → The stages are in the wrong order. Data must be processed before the result is output.

Key Term

input, process, store, output

A digital system takes in data (input), works on it (process), keeps it (store) and shows a result (output).

Fill in the Blanks

1. Typing on a keyboard is the input stage

Hint: Type the name of the stage where data first enters the system

2. The CPU does the process stage

Hint: Type the stage where the system works on the data

3. Saving a file to a disk is the store stage

Hint: Type the stage where data is kept for later

4. Showing a result on a screen is output

Hint: Type the stage that shows the result to the user

5. Task: play a song Store: song file on the phone Output: speaker

Hint: Type the output device that makes the sound

Spot the Error

Question 1

A name = input('Name? ')

B greeting = 'Hi ' - name

C print(greeting)

Line B — The process stage joins the text together. Strings are joined with +, not -. It should be greeting = 'Hi ' + name.

Question 2

A a = int(print('First? '))

B b = int(input('Second? '))

C total = a + b

D print(total)

Line A — Taking data in is the input stage, which needs input(). print() is an output command. It should be a = int(input('First? ')).

Question 3

A score = 10

B file = open('score.txt', 'r')

C file.write(str(score))

D file.close()

Line B — The storage stage saves data to a file, so the file must be opened in write mode 'w'. Mode 'r' only reads. It should be open('score.txt', 'w').

Question 4

A temp = int(input('Temp? '))

B if temp > 25:

C print(Hot)

D else:

E print('Cool')

Line C — The output text must be in quotes. Without them Python looks for a variable called Hot. It should be print('Hot').

Question 5

A OUTPUT: scan barcode

B PROCESS: look up the price

C STORE: save sale in database

D OUTPUT: show price on screen

Line A — Scanning a barcode takes data in, so it is the input stage, not output. Line 1 should start with INPUT.

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