What a computer does (input, process, output, store) in Intro to Computing - Draw & Build Visually

Draw This - beginner

Draw a flowchart that shows what a computer does when you type a letter on the keyboard and see it on the screen. Include the steps: input, process, output, and store.

5 minutes

Hint 1

Hint 2

Hint 3

Hint 4

Hint 5

Grading Criteria

Start and End oval symbols present

Input step shown with parallelogram

Process step shown with rectangle

Output step shown with parallelogram

Store step shown with rectangle

Flow direction is clear and logical

All four steps (input, process, output, store) included

Solution

  _______                  
 /       \                 
|  Start  |                
 \_______/                 
     |
     v
  _______________          
 / User types a  \         
| letter (Input) |         
 \_______________/         
     |
     v
  _______________          
 | Computer     |          
 | processes    |          
 | the letter   |          
 | (Process)    |          
 |_______________|         
     |
     v
  _______________          
 / Letter shown \          
| on screen    |          
 \ (Output)    /          
 |_______________|         
     |
     v
  _______________          
 | Letter stored|          
 | in memory    |          
 | (Store)      |          
 |_______________|         
     |
     v
  _______                  
 /       \                 
|   End   |                
 \_______/                 

This flowchart starts with the user typing a letter on the keyboard, which is the input step. The computer then processes this input to understand what was typed. Next, the letter is output by showing it on the screen so the user can see it. Finally, the letter is stored in the computer's memory for later use. The flowchart uses simple shapes: ovals for start and end, parallelograms for input and output, and rectangles for processing and storing steps.

Variations - 2 Challenges

[intermediate] Draw a flowchart showing what a computer does when you click a mouse button to open a file. Include input, process, output, and store steps.

[advanced] Draw a detailed flowchart for what a computer does when you save a document. Show input, process, output, and store steps, and include decision points for confirming save success.

Practice

1. Which of the following best describes the process step in what a computer does?

easy

A. The computer performs calculations or actions on the input data.

B. The computer shows the final result on the screen.

C. The computer receives data from the keyboard or mouse.

D. The computer saves data to a hard drive or memory.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of processing

   Processing means the computer works on the input data, like mixing ingredients in cooking.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other steps

   Input is receiving data, output is showing results, and storage is saving data. Processing is the action in between.

3. Final Answer:

   The computer performs calculations or actions on the input data. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Process = perform actions [OK]

Hint: Process means the computer works on input data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing output with process
• Thinking input is processing
• Mixing storage with processing

2. Which of the following is the correct order of steps a computer follows?

easy

A. Process -> Store -> Input -> Output

B. Output -> Input -> Store -> Process

C. Input -> Process -> Output -> Store

D. Store -> Output -> Input -> Process

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the four main steps

   The computer first takes input, then processes it, shows output, and finally stores data.

2. Step 2: Match the correct sequence

   Input -> Process -> Output -> Store matches the correct order: Input -> Process -> Output -> Store.

3. Final Answer:

   Input -> Process -> Output -> Store -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Order = Input, Process, Output, Store [OK]

Hint: Remember: Input first, then process, output, and store last [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing output before input
• Putting store before process
• Confusing the order of steps

3. Look at this flowchart of a computer task:

What is the correct output if the input is 5 and the process doubles the number?

medium

A. 10

B. 5

C. 25

D. 0

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the input and process

   The input is 5, and the process doubles it, so 5 x 2 = 10.

2. Step 2: Determine the output

   The output is the result of the process, which is 10.

3. Final Answer:

   10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Input 5 doubled = 10 [OK]

Hint: Output is processed input, here double 5 = 10 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using input value as output without processing
• Squaring input instead of doubling
• Choosing zero as output by mistake

4. A student wrote this sequence for a computer task:
Input -> Output -> Process -> Store
What is wrong with this order?

medium

A. Input should come after storing data.

B. Storing data should happen before input.

C. Processing should be last step.

D. Output comes before processing the input.

Solution

1. Step 1: Review correct step order

   The correct order is Input -> Process -> Output -> Store.

2. Step 2: Identify the error in given order

   Output is shown before processing, which is incorrect because output depends on processing.

3. Final Answer:

   Output comes before processing the input. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Output must follow processing [OK]

Hint: Output must come after processing input [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking output can come before processing
• Confusing storage with input
• Believing processing is last step

5. Imagine you want to create a simple calculator program that adds two numbers. Which sequence correctly shows what the computer does?

hard

A. Store numbers -> Input numbers -> Process addition -> Output result

B. Input numbers -> Process addition -> Output result -> Store result

C. Output result -> Input numbers -> Process addition -> Store result

D. Process addition -> Input numbers -> Store result -> Output result

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the calculator steps

   The computer first takes input numbers, then adds them (process), shows the result (output), and finally saves the result (store).

2. Step 2: Match the correct sequence

   Input numbers -> Process addition -> Output result -> Store result matches this order perfectly: Input -> Process -> Output -> Store.

3. Final Answer:

   Input numbers -> Process addition -> Output result -> Store result -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Calculator steps = Input, Process, Output, Store [OK]

Hint: Calculator: input numbers, add, show, then save [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to output before input
• Storing before processing
• Mixing order of steps