What a computer does (input, process, output, store) in Intro to Computing - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to show the first step a computer does with data.

Intro to Computing

computer_step = '[1]'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aprocess

Boutput

Cstore

Dinput

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'process' because it sounds like the computer does something first.

Choosing 'output' thinking the computer shows results before getting data.

The first step a computer does is to input data, which means it receives information from the outside world, like typing on a keyboard.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to show what the computer does after inputting data.

Intro to Computing

computer_step = '[1]'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ainput

Boutput

Cprocess

Dstore

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'store' because it thinks saving comes before working.

Choosing 'output' because it confuses showing results with processing.

After inputting data, the computer processes it, which means it works on the data to make sense or change it, like solving a math problem.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to show what the computer does to keep data for later.

Intro to Computing

computer_step = '[1]'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Astore

Bprocess

Cinput

Doutput

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'output' because it confuses showing data with saving data.

Choosing 'process' thinking processing means saving.

The computer stores data to keep it safe for later use, like saving a file on a disk.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the flow of what a computer does with data.

Intro to Computing

computer_steps = ['[1]', '[2]']

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ainput

Bprocess

Coutput

Dstore

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 'output' too early in the sequence.

Mixing up 'store' and 'process' order.

The computer first inputs data, then processes it as the next step.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to complete the main steps a computer does with data.

Intro to Computing

computer_steps = ['[1]', '[2]', '[3]']

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ainput

Bprocess

Coutput

Dstore

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the output step.

Putting 'store' instead of 'output' as the last step.

The main steps a computer does are: input data, process it, and then output the result.

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