Inputs & Outputs (AQA GCSE Computer Science)

Revision Note

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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

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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.

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