← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Output with OUTPUT

OUTPUT displays a value to the user. OUTPUT "Hello" shows the text exactly as written. OUTPUT Score shows the value stored in the variable Score.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.1a Data Types and Variables — Module 23

Understanding Output with OUTPUT in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Putting the text in double quotes makes OUTPUT display those exact characters. A variable name without quotes shows the value stored in the variable, so 25 is displayed. OUTPUT shows a value to the user. INPUT does the opposite and reads a value from the user. A string needs a closing double quote. The wrong line is missing one.

Common mistakes: Text in double quotes is shown exactly, so this displays the word Score. To show the value stored in the variable (10), remove the quotes: OUTPUT Score. Cambridge pseudocode uses the keyword OUTPUT to display a value, not PRINT. It should be OUTPUT Name.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 327–336) and word search (Modules 317–336).

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Learning

Duo

Which statement displays the word Hello exactly as written?

OUTPUT "Hello"OUTPUT Hello

Matches

OUTPUT Hello

↓

The text has no double quotes, so Hello is treated as a variable name instead of text to display. It should be OUTPUT "Hello".

Applying

Meanings

Term

OUTPUT

Meaning

OUTPUT displays a value to the user. OUTPUT "Hello" shows the text exactly as written. OUTPUT Score shows the value stored in the variable Score.

Practice

DECLARE Score : INTEGER

Testing

Gaps

"Hello"

Check Answer

Spots

2Score ← 10

3OUTPUT "Score"

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement displays the word Hello exactly as written?

A. OUTPUT Hello

B. OUTPUT "Hello" ✓

Text in double quotes is a string literal and is shown exactly. Without quotes, Hello would be read as a variable name.

2. Score ← 25. What does OUTPUT Score display?

A. Score

B. 25 ✓

A variable name without quotes shows the value stored in the variable, so 25 is displayed.

3. Score ← 25. What does OUTPUT "Score" display?

A. Score ✓

B. 25

Double quotes make Score plain text, so the word Score is shown. The variable is not read.

4. Which keyword displays a value to the user in Cambridge pseudocode?

A. OUTPUT ✓

B. INPUT

OUTPUT shows a value to the user. INPUT does the opposite and reads a value from the user.

5. Which line shows the value stored in the variable Lives?

A. OUTPUT Lives ✓

B. OUTPUT "Lives"

Leave the quotes off to show the variable's value. With quotes, you only get the word Lives.

Match the Pairs

OUTPUT "Hello" → Displays the text Hello exactly as written, because it is in double quotes

OUTPUT Score → Displays the value currently stored in the variable Score

Show the words Game Over on the screen exactly as written → OUTPUT "Game Over"

Show whatever number is stored in the variable Total → OUTPUT Total

OUTPUT Hello → The text has no double quotes, so Hello is treated as a variable name instead of text to display. It should be OUTPUT "Hello".

OUTPUT "Score" → The quotes make this the word Score rather than the value stored in the variable. To show the value, write OUTPUT Score.

Key Term

OUTPUT

OUTPUT displays a value to the user. OUTPUT "Hello" shows the text exactly as written. OUTPUT Score shows the value stored in the variable Score.

Fill in the Blanks

1. OUTPUT "Hello"

Hint: Type the keyword that displays a value to the user.

2. Score ← 10 OUTPUT Score

Hint: Type the variable name so its stored value is shown, with no quotes.

3. Score ← 42 OUTPUT Score

Hint: Type the keyword that shows the value held in the variable.

4. Lives ← 3 OUTPUT Lives

Hint: Type the variable name whose value should be displayed.

5. Points ← 50 OUTPUT "Points" OUTPUT Points

Hint: The first OUTPUT shows the word as text. Type the variable name, with no quotes, to show the stored value.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A DECLARE Score : INTEGER

B Score ← 10

C OUTPUT "Score"

Line C — Text in double quotes is shown exactly, so this displays the word Score. To show the value stored in the variable (10), remove the quotes: OUTPUT Score.

Question 2

A DECLARE Name : STRING

B Name ← "Sam"

C OUTPUT "Hello"

D PRINT Name

Line D — Cambridge pseudocode uses the keyword OUTPUT to display a value, not PRINT. It should be OUTPUT Name.

Question 3

A OUTPUT "Welcome"

B OUTPUT "to the game"

C OUTPUT "Good luck

Line C — The text is missing its closing double quote. Text must be wrapped in a pair of double quotes: OUTPUT "Good luck".

Question 4

A OUTPUT Enter your name

B INPUT Name

C OUTPUT Name

Line A — Text to be shown exactly must be in double quotes. Without them, Enter your name is not valid. It should be OUTPUT "Enter your name".

Question 5

A DECLARE Score : INTEGER

B Score ← 5

C Score ← Score + 2

D OUTPUT = Score

Line D — OUTPUT is followed directly by the value to display. There is no equals sign. It should be OUTPUT Score.

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