Inputs & Outputs (AQA GCSE Computer Science)

Revision Note

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James Woodhouse

Written by: James Woodhouse

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Inputs & Outputs

What is an input?

  • An input is a value that is read from an input device and then processed by a computer program

  • Typical input devices include:

    • Keyboards - Typing text

    • Mice - Selecting item, clicking buttons

    • Sensors - Reading data from sensors such as temperature, pressure or motion

    • Microphone - Capturing audio, speech recognition

  • Without inputs, programs are not useful as they can't interact with the outside world and always produce the same result

  • In programming the keyboard is considered the standard for user input

  • If the command 'USERINPUT' is executed, a program will wait for the user to type a sequence of characters

  • In other programming languages different command words can be used

Examples

AQA pseudocode

Python

nameleftwards arrowUSERINPUT

IF name = "James" OR name = "Rob" THEN...

name=input("Enter your name: ")

if name == "James" or name == "Rob":

What is an output?

  • An output is a value sent to an output device from a computer program

  • Typical output devices include:

    • Monitor - Displaying text, images or graphics

    • Speaker - Playing audio

    • Printer - Creating physical copies of documents or images

  • In programming the monitor is considered the standard for user output

  • If the command 'OUTPUT' is executed, a program will output to the screen

  • In other programming languages different command words can be used

Example

AQA pseudocode

Python

nameleftwards arrowUSERINPUT

IF name = "James" OR name = "Rob" THEN

OUTPUT "Great names!"

name=input("Enter your name: ")

if name == "James" or name == "Rob":

print("Great names!")

Worked Example

A bus company offers a discount to passengers if they have a valid 'student' card or are over 65 years of age.

Identify all the inputs that will be required in an algorithm to solve this problem [2]

Answer

  • Student card (YES/NO)

  • Age (integer)

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James Woodhouse

Author: James Woodhouse

Expertise: Computer Science

James graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in ICT and Computing education. He has over 14 years of experience both teaching and leading in Computer Science, specialising in teaching GCSE and A-level. James has held various leadership roles, including Head of Computer Science and coordinator positions for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. James has a keen interest in networking security and technologies aimed at preventing security breaches.

Lucy Kirkham

Author: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Head of STEM

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.