← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

input keyword

A VCAA pseudocode keyword that accepts a value from the user and stores it in a named variable. Example: input age stores the user's entered value in the variable age

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 13, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 8, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 94, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 128, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Real-World Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 59, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 121, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 17, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 41

Understanding input keyword in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What it does: input appears before the assignment that uses length and width. Variables must be given values via input before they can be used on the right side of <-. The input keyword stores the user's value directly into score. No <- is needed — input handles storage automatically, unlike assignment which requires <-. VCAA pseudocode allows multiple variable names after input, separated by commas: input a, b accepts two values and stores them in a and b respectively.

Common mistakes: enter name is not valid VCAA pseudocode. The correct keyword for accepting user input is input. The line should read input name. Line 1 is wrong. input total <- a + b incorrectly mixes the input keyword with an assignment. input only accepts user values — calculation and assignment use <-. The correct statement is total <- a + b on its own line. Line 2 is wrong.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 158–380) and word search (Modules 82–380).

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Learning
Duo
Which is the correct VCAA pseudocode statement to accept a value from the user?
input ageage <- input
Matches
score <- input
↓
Wrong — you cannot use <- with input. The correct form is `input score` with the keyword first and the variable name after it
Applying
Meanings
Term
input
Meaning
A VCAA pseudocode keyword that accepts a value from the user and stores it in a named variable. Example: input age stores the user's entered value in the variable age
Practice
Algorithm: calculate rectangle area
Testing
Gaps
age
Check Answer
Spots
1Algorithm: greet user
2enter name

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Quick Questions

1. Which is the correct VCAA pseudocode statement to accept a value from the user?
A. age <- input
B. input age ✓
The input keyword comes first, followed by the variable name. You do not use <- with input — input handles the storage automatically.
2. Can the input keyword accept more than one variable at a time?
A. No — input only works with one variable
B. Yes — input a, b accepts two values at once ✓
VCAA pseudocode allows multiple variable names after input, separated by commas: `input a, b` accepts two values and stores them in a and b respectively.
3. Where in a VCAA pseudocode algorithm should input statements appear?
A. After the Algorithm header, before processing ✓
B. After the processing statements
Input values must be collected before they can be used in calculations. The input statement follows the Algorithm header and comes before any processing.
4. Which of these correctly accepts two numbers from the user in VCAA pseudocode?
A. input x, y ✓
B. INPUT X, Y
VCAA pseudocode keywords are written in lowercase. `INPUT` in capitals is incorrect — use `input x, y` in lowercase.
5. Which correctly uses input in a complete VCAA algorithm?
A. Algorithm: add input a, b total <- a + b ✓
B. Algorithm: add total <- a + b input a, b
Input must come before processing. In the right option, a and b are used in a calculation before they have been given values, which is incorrect.

Match the Pairs

input age → Accepts a single value from the user and stores it in the variable named age
input a, b → Accepts two values from the user in one statement, storing the first in a and the second in b
The input keyword must appear before any processing that uses the input variables → Algorithm: compute area input length, width area <- length * width print area
input accepts values from the user and stores them in named variables without needing the <- operator → input score if score > 50 then print "Pass" end if
score <- input → Wrong — you cannot use <- with input. The correct form is `input score` with the keyword first and the variable name after it
INPUT name → Wrong — VCAA pseudocode keywords are written in lowercase. The correct form is `input name` not `INPUT name`

Key Term

input
A VCAA pseudocode keyword that accepts a value from the user and stores it in a named variable. Example: input age stores the user's entered value in the variable age

Fill in the Blanks

1. input age
Hint: Type the VCAA pseudocode keyword that accepts a value from the user and stores it in a variable
2. input length, height
Hint: Type the name of the first variable that will store the user's entered value
3. Algorithm: find average input a, b average <- (a + b) / 2
Hint: Type the keyword that accepts the two values a and b from the user
4. Algorithm: check score input score if score > 50 then
Hint: Type the variable name that will store the user's entered score value
5. Algorithm: sum three input x, y, z total <- x + y + z
Hint: Type the keyword that accepts all three values x, y and z from the user before processing

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Algorithm: greet user
B enter name
C print name
Line B — `enter name` is not valid VCAA pseudocode. The correct keyword for accepting user input is `input`. The line should read `input name`. Line 1 is wrong.
Question 2
A Algorithm: add numbers
B input a, b
C input total <- a + b
D print total
Line C — `input total <- a + b` incorrectly mixes the input keyword with an assignment. `input` only accepts user values — calculation and assignment use <-. The correct statement is `total <- a + b` on its own line. Line 2 is wrong.
Question 3
A total <- a + b
B input a, b
C print total
Line A — `total <- a + b` appears before `input a, b`, but a and b have not yet been given values. Input must come before any processing that uses those variables. Line 0 is wrong.
Question 4
A Algorithm: compute product
B input x, y
C result <- x * y
D print results
Line D — `print results` references a variable called `results` but the variable was assigned as `result` on line 2. Variable names must match exactly — `result` and `results` are different identifiers. Line 3 is wrong.
Question 5
A Algorithm: temperature check
B INPUT temp
C if temp > 100 then
D print "Too hot"
E end if
Line B — VCAA pseudocode keywords are written in lowercase. `INPUT` in all capitals is incorrect — the correct form is `input temp` in lowercase. Line 1 is wrong.

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