COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

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Input-Process-Output
OBJECTIVES

A fter completing this chapter, you will be able to:

a. identify the input, process and output of a computer application;

b. understand that a computer requires correct input data to
produce meaningful information; and
c. give examples of common input and output devices.

2.1 Input, Process and Output Operations

In this chapter, we will take a closer look at the actions that result from
input, process and output operations in computer systems and common
applications. Refer to Table 2.1 for description of each of the actions.

Table 2.1 — Common actions in computer systems and applications

Operation Description
Input The computer accepts data or instructions from a user.
Process The computer performs manipulation or calculations
on the data to produce useful information.
Output The computer communicates the information to the
user.

We shall see in FIgures 2.1 and 2.2, how the input, process and output
operations are carried out in some common applications in real life.

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 SECONDARY ONE • COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Input and Output Devices

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Teacher keys in Program calculates Teacher collects results

students’ test scores. grades and final marks. slip from printer.

Figure 2.1 — Generating students’ results slip

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

User selects details Application calculates Application displays

and number of seats. total cost of tickets. the amount to pay.

Figure 2.2 — Booking cinema tickets using a mobile application

QUICK CHECK
Can you identify the input, process and output operations of the following scenarios?

(A) Janice uses her computer to search for photographs of flowers.

(B) Halim orders a meal using a self-order kiosk at a fast foood restaurant.

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2.2 Importance of Correct Input

Computers can provide meaningful information only when the correct input is
given. If the data keyed into a computer contain errors, the computer will not be
able to produce meaningful information that we can use. Refer to Figure 2.3.

Why is my age
displayed wrongly?

PROCESS

Input data Unusable information.

containing errors.

Figure 2.3 — Importance of correct input

DO YOU KNOW?
For example, if a program The acronym GIGO stands for
requires us to key in our “Garbage In, Garbage Out”.
height and weight to It is used to mean that bad
calculate our body mass or invalid input will result in
index (BMI) and we key in letters instead unusable or unrecognisable
of numbers, we will not get the results output.
we want. Similarly, if we key in the wrong
values (e.g. enter height when weight is
required and vice versa), we will get the
wrong information.

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 SECONDARY ONE • COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Input and Output Devices

2.3 Input Devices

An input device is a piece of hardware that allows us to enter data and instructions
into a computer. Different types of computers accept data differently. For example,
a desktop PC or laptop might have a keyboard and mouse while a tablet PC or
smartphone might have a touchscreen and some buttons.

Some common examples of input devices are described as follows.

• A keyboard allows users to enter letters,

numbers and symbols. A keyboard can be a
separate device that can be plugged in into a
desktop PC or a built-in keyboard on a laptop.

• A mouse enables users to move a pointer on

the screen. A mouse has one or more buttons
which users can click to make selections.

• A touchpad is found in most laptops, and it

allows users to to move the on-screen pointer
by sliding their fingers across the surface of the
touchpad to perform operations similar to a
mouse.

• A scanner digitises or converts hardcopy

documents and photographs into digital form so
that they can be stored electronically.

• A bar code reader is a handheld or stationary

device that reads bar codes (vertical lines of
varying widths and spaces). Bar codes are
commonly used to identify products that are
sold in stores.

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• Quick Response (QR) codes comprise of

two-dimensional squares of varying sizes arranged
within a larger square area. This format can store more
information than bar codes. QR codes can be scanned
by smartphones (when the appropriate app is installed)
or by using special scanners.

• A digital camera or webcam can be used to capture

still images (photographs) and videos.

• A microphone allows users to record audio.

Microphones can either be built-in (on laptops and
smartphones) or external.

2.4 Output Devices

Output devices allow computers to communicate information to users. Some

examples are shown below.

• A display screen or monitor provides

visual information to users.

• A printer produces hardcopies of

documents on paper. A plotter (right)
can print much larger drawings or
posters.

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 SECONDARY ONE • COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Input and Output Devices

• Speakers, headphones and earphones provide

audio output to users. They allow users to listen to
music or sound from the computer.

• A projector is a device that displays visual

information on a screen or flat surface such as a
wall.

• A head-mounted display is a display device worn

on the head that delivers visual information directly
to the user’s eyes. It can be used for virtual reality
simulation, training or games.

SUMMARY
1. An input operation describes a computer accepting data or instructions from
a user.

2. A process operation describes the actions taken by a computer to

manipulate or calculate data to produce useful information.

3. An output operation describes a computer’s communication of the results

of a process operation to a user.

4. Computers require correct data to produce meaningful information.

5. Input devices (e.g. keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc.) allow users to enter
data into computers.

6. Output devices (e.g. monitor, speakers, printer, etc.) allow computers

to display information to the user.

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TEST YOURSELF

Q1 Which of the following computer operations allows us to view an image

on a computer screen?
(A) Display
(B) Input
(C) Output
(D) Process ( )

Q2 Which of the following is an input device?

(A) Microphone
(B) Plotter
(C) Projector
(D) Speaker ( )

Q3 Hassim wants to digitise some old photographs. Which of the following

devices is most suitable for this purpose?

(A) Keyboard
(B) Printer
(C) Scanner
(D) Webcam ( )

Q4 Circle True if the statement is true or False if the statement is false.

(A) Computers can produce useful information when a set of wrong data
is entered.
True / False

(B) During a process operation, the user receives information

from the computer. True / False

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Input and Output Devices

DO YOU KNOW?
Devices that are both input and output devices

Some devices can be both input and output devices. We shall take a look
at some of them.

A touchscreen is found in smartphones

and tablet PCs. Users can use their
fingers to provide input to the computer.
At the same time, the screen displays
information to the user.

Besides printing, two-in-one or

multi-function printers can also function
as scanners or copiers that digitise
hardcopy documents.

Can you give other examples of devices

that are both input and output devices?

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