Inputs, Processes, & Outputs for a Problem Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is an input in a computer system?

Data inserted into a system for processing and/or storage.

What is an output in a computer system?

Data sent out of a system.

What is a process in a computer system?

The steps and decisions required to transform inputs into outputs.

What are the steps to identify the inputs, processes and outputs of a problem?

e.g. a program that asks for a length and a width and displays the area

1. List the data entered into the system: length, width
2. List the calculations/decisions needed: area = length $\times$ width
3. List the data sent out: display the area

True or false? A value that the program calculates and displays on screen is an input.

False. It is an output — inputs are data entered into the system.

True or false? The inputs, processes and outputs should be identified before an algorithm is designed.

True. The problem must be decomposed first so you know what data is needed and what processing is required.