← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Inputs, processes, outputs and storage

The four parts of a program's requirements: the data it takes in, the work it does on that data, the results it shows, and the data it keeps for later.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 7

Understanding Inputs, processes, outputs and storage in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Displaying the final score is a result shown to the user, so it is an output. Saving high scores keeps the data for later use, so it is storage rather than input, process or output. Data typed in or scanned by the user is an input. The program takes it in. Adding up is work done on the data, so it is a process. Calculating and comparing are both processes. The four parts are inputs, processes, outputs and storage. Loops and variables are programming constructs, not requirement categories. The prices must be kept for the program to use again and again, so they are stored data.

Common mistakes: The price of each item is typed in by the user, so it is an Input. It should read 'Input: price of each item'. Output is for results the program shows. The player's answers are data going into the program, so they are an Input, not an Output. It should read 'Input: the player's answers'.

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Learning
Duo
A till program lets the cashier type in the barcode of each item. Which part of the requirements is this?
OutputInput
Matches
Till program - Input: calculate the total bill
↓
Calculating the total is a process, not an input. The input is the data typed or scanned in, such as the item price.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Input, Process, Output, Storage
Meaning
The four parts of a program's requirements: the data it takes in, the work it does on that data, the results it shows, and the data it keeps for later.
Practice
// Input: the price and quantity
Testing
Gaps
Price
Check Answer
Spots
1Till program requirements
2Output: price of each item

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Quick Questions

1. A till program lets the cashier type in the barcode of each item. Which part of the requirements is this?
A. Input ✓
B. Output
Data typed in or scanned by the user is an input. The program takes it in.
2. A quiz program adds up the number of correct answers. Which part of the requirements is this?
A. Process ✓
B. Storage
Adding up is work done on the data, so it is a process. Calculating and comparing are both processes.
3. A till program prints a receipt showing the total cost. Which part of the requirements is this?
A. Input
B. Output ✓
A receipt is a result shown to the user, so it is an output.
4. A quiz program saves each player's high score in a file so it is still there tomorrow. Which part of the requirements is this?
A. Output
B. Storage ✓
Data kept for later use is storage. Showing a result on the screen is output, but saving it for later is storage.
5. Which list correctly names the four parts of a program's requirements?
A. Inputs, processes, outputs, storage ✓
B. Inputs, loops, outputs, variables
The four parts are inputs, processes, outputs and storage. Loops and variables are programming constructs, not requirement categories.

Match the Pairs

Input: the student's quiz answer → The data the program takes in from the user
Process: add up the item prices → The work the program does on the data, such as calculating or comparing
An output is a result the program shows to the user after processing → Output: display the final score
Storage is data the program keeps so it can be used again later → Storage: save every student's high score
Till program - Input: calculate the total bill → Calculating the total is a process, not an input. The input is the data typed or scanned in, such as the item price.
Quiz program - Output: the correct answers list → A list of correct answers kept for checking is storage, not output. Output is what is shown to the user, such as the score.

Key Term

Input, Process, Output, Storage
The four parts of a program's requirements: the data it takes in, the work it does on that data, the results it shows, and the data it keeps for later.

Fill in the Blanks

1. // Input: take in the price of an item INPUT Price
Hint: Type the command that takes data in from the user, which is the input part of the requirements.
2. // Process: work out the cost Total ← Price * Quantity
Hint: Type the arithmetic operator that does the calculation, which is the process part of the requirements.
3. // Output: show the result OUTPUT "Total: ", Total
Hint: Type the command that displays the result to the user, which is the output part of the requirements.
4. // Storage: keep the score for later DECLARE Score : INTEGER
Hint: Type the keyword that sets up a named place to store data, which is the storage part of the requirements.
5. // Process: compare the score IF Score >= PassMark THEN OUTPUT "Pass"
Hint: Type the relational operator that compares the two values to check the score is at least the pass mark.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Till program requirements
B Output: price of each item
C Process: add prices to total
D Output: the final total
Line B — The price of each item is typed in by the user, so it is an Input. It should read 'Input: price of each item'. Output is for results the program shows.
Question 2
A Output: the player's answers
B Process: compare with answer
C Output: Correct or Wrong
D Storage: the high score
Line A — The player's answers are data going into the program, so they are an Input, not an Output. It should read 'Input: the player's answers'.
Question 3
A INPUT Price
B INPUT Qty
C Total ← Price + Qty
D OUTPUT Total
Line C — The process is a calculation. The total cost is the price multiplied by the quantity, so the line should be Total ← Price * Qty.
Question 4
A Input: the player's answers
B Output: save the high score
C Process: count correct answers
D Output: show the final score
Line B — Saving the high score for later is Storage, because it is data the program keeps. It should read 'Storage: save the high score'.
Question 5
A Score ← 0
B INPUT Answer
C IF Answer ← 4 THEN
D Score ← Score + 1
E ENDIF
Line C — The process of comparing the answer with the correct one needs the relational operator =, not the assignment arrow. It should be IF Answer = 4 THEN.

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