← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

INPUT and OUTPUT statements

INPUT stores a value the user types into a variable. OUTPUT displays a message or value on screen. Show several items by separating them with commas.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.1b Sequence, Selection and Iteration — Module 4

Understanding INPUT and OUTPUT statements in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: The OUTPUT line tells the user what to type, then INPUT stores the answer in Number. The comma separates the text from the variable so both appear together in one OUTPUT statement. Items in an OUTPUT statement must be separated by commas. A text message needs a pair of double quotation marks, one at the start and one at the end. Without quotes, OUTPUT displays the value stored in the variable. With quotes, it would show the word Total.

Common mistakes: INPUT must be followed by a variable name that will store the typed value. You cannot input into the value 5. It should be INPUT Number. When OUTPUT shows several items, they must be separated by commas. A comma is missing after the message. It should be OUTPUT "Total is ", Total.

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 358–368) and word search (Modules 358–378).

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Learning

Duo

Which line stores a value typed by the user in the variable Number?

OUTPUT NumberINPUT Number

Matches

INPUT "Enter a number"

↓

INPUT must be followed by a variable name, not a message. Use OUTPUT for the message, then INPUT Number to store the value.

Applying

Meanings

Term

INPUT and OUTPUT

Meaning

INPUT stores a value the user types into a variable. OUTPUT displays a message or value on screen. Show several items by separating them with commas.

Practice

DECLARE Number : INTEGER

Testing

Gaps

"Total is ", Total

Check Answer

Spots

1DECLARE Number : INTEGER

2INPUT 5

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Quick Questions

1. Which line stores a value typed by the user in the variable Number?

A. INPUT Number ✓

B. OUTPUT Number

INPUT reads a value from the user into a variable. OUTPUT displays a value instead.

2. Which line displays the message Total is followed by the value of Total?

A. OUTPUT "Total is ", Total ✓

B. INPUT "Total is ", Total

OUTPUT shows items on screen. Separate the message and the variable with a comma.

3. Which is the correct way to show several items in one OUTPUT statement?

A. OUTPUT "Score: " Score " points"

B. OUTPUT "Score: ", Score, " points" ✓

Items in an OUTPUT statement must be separated by commas.

4. A program should ask the user for their age and then store it. Which order is best?

A. OUTPUT "Enter your age" then INPUT Age ✓

B. INPUT Age then OUTPUT "Enter your age"

Prompt with OUTPUT first so the user knows what to type, then use INPUT to store the answer.

5. What does the statement INPUT Number do when the program runs?

A. It displays the value of Number on the screen

B. It waits for the user to type a value and stores it in Number ✓

INPUT stores what the user types. Displaying a value is the job of OUTPUT.

Match the Pairs

INPUT Number → Waits for the user to type a value and stores it in the variable Number

OUTPUT "Total is ", Total → Displays the message Total is followed by the value stored in Total

Prompt the user with OUTPUT before asking for a value with INPUT → OUTPUT "Enter a number" INPUT Number

Display several items on one line by separating them with commas → OUTPUT "Average is ", Average

INPUT "Enter a number" → INPUT must be followed by a variable name, not a message. Use OUTPUT for the message, then INPUT Number to store the value.

OUTPUT "Total is " Total → The items are not separated by a comma. It should be OUTPUT "Total is ", Total.

Key Term

INPUT and OUTPUT

INPUT stores a value the user types into a variable. OUTPUT displays a message or value on screen. Show several items by separating them with commas.

Fill in the Blanks

1. OUTPUT "Total is ", Total

Hint: Type the keyword that displays a message and a value on screen.

2. INPUT Number

Hint: Type the keyword that stores a value typed by the user in a variable.

3. OUTPUT "Enter a number" INPUT Number OUTPUT "You typed ", Number

Hint: Type the variable that stores the user's value, which is displayed on the last line.

4. INPUT Price OUTPUT "Price is ", Price

Hint: Type the variable name whose stored value is shown after the message.

5. OUTPUT "Enter your age" INPUT Age

Hint: Type the keyword that shows a prompt to the user before they type a value.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A DECLARE Number : INTEGER

B INPUT 5

C OUTPUT "You typed ", Number

Line B — INPUT must be followed by a variable name that will store the typed value. You cannot input into the value 5. It should be INPUT Number.

Question 2

A DECLARE Total : INTEGER

B Total <- 10 + 5

C OUTPUT "Total is " Total

Line C — When OUTPUT shows several items, they must be separated by commas. A comma is missing after the message. It should be OUTPUT "Total is ", Total.

Question 3

A OUTPUT Enter your age

B INPUT Age

C OUTPUT "Age is ", Age

Line A — A message to display must be written in double quotes. Without them the words look like variable names. It should be OUTPUT "Enter your age".

Question 4

A OUTPUT "Enter a number"

B INPUT "Num"

C OUTPUT "Double is ", Num * 2

Line B — The variable name after INPUT must not be in quotes. Quotes make it a piece of text, not a variable that can store the value. It should be INPUT Num.

Question 5

A DECLARE Name : STRING

B INPUT Name

C OUTPUT "Hello ", "Name"

Line C — Putting Name in quotes outputs the word Name, not the value the user typed. A variable must be written without quotes: OUTPUT "Hello ", Name.

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