3 Vocabulary Terms - Define/Illustrate
Input
Output
Function
Input: In the context of computer programming, input refers to the data or information that is entered into a program or system. It can include user inputs, such as keystrokes or mouse clicks, as well as data that is read from external sources, such as files or databases. For example, when filling out an online form, the values entered into the fields are considered as input.
Output: Output, in computer programming, refers to the result or response produced by a program or system. It can take various forms, such as text displayed on a screen, sound played through speakers, or files generated as a result of a program's execution. For instance, when running a calculator program, the calculated result displayed on the screen is the output.
Function: In programming, a function is a block of code that performs a specific task or operation. It is a self-contained unit of functionality that can be called and executed from different parts of a program, enabling code reusability and organization. Functions can take inputs (also called arguments) and produce outputs (also called return values). An example of a function is a mathematical operation like addition, where you pass two numbers as inputs, and it returns their sum as the output.
Illustration:
Consider a simple program that calculates the average of three numbers. The user inputs the three numbers, and the program processes this input to produce the average as output using a function.
Input: 5, 7, 9 (user-entered numbers)
Output: 7 (calculated average)
Function: average(input1, input2, input3) -> output (function that calculates the average of three numbers)