Input facts for kids

Input is simply information or data that you "put into" something. Think of it like feeding something new information. For example, when you talk, your words are input for someone's ears. When you play a video game, pressing buttons on your controller is input for the game console.

The word "input" is often used when we talk about computers and other digital devices. When you type on a keyboard, click a mouse, or tap on a touchscreen, you are giving the computer input. This input tells the computer what to do or gives it information to process. Usually, input is the first step that leads to an output, which is what the computer gives back to you.

What is Input?

Input is how we communicate with machines and systems. It's the way we provide instructions, commands, or data. Imagine you want to draw a picture on a tablet. Your finger movements on the screen are the input. The tablet then uses this input to create lines and colors, which is the output you see.

Input in Computers

In the world of computers, input is crucial. Without it, computers wouldn't know what to do. Every time you interact with a computer, you are providing some form of input. This could be typing a message, clicking an icon, or even speaking a command to a smart speaker. Computers take this input and process it to perform tasks or give you information.

Input Devices: How Do We Talk to Computers?

An input device is a piece of hardware that lets you send information to a computer. These devices translate your actions into signals that the computer can understand. Here are some common examples:

• Keyboard: Used to type letters, numbers, and symbols. Each key press is an input.
• Mouse: Used to move a pointer on the screen and select items. Clicking and dragging are inputs.
• Microphone: Captures sound, like your voice, and converts it into digital data for the computer.
• Webcam: Captures images or videos, allowing the computer to "see."
• Touchscreen: Found on phones and tablets, it lets you use your fingers to tap, swipe, and pinch directly on the screen.
• Scanner: Converts physical documents or photos into digital files.

Data as Input: What Do Computers Understand?

When we talk about input, we often mean the actual data that goes into the computer. This data can be anything from text you type, numbers for a calculation, images you upload, or sounds you record. The computer takes this raw data and processes it according to its programming. For example, if you input the numbers "2" and "2" and the command "add," the computer will process this to give you "4" as the output.

Input and Output: A Two-Way Street

Input and output are two sides of the same coin. They work together in almost every computer process.

• Input is what you give to the computer.
• Output is what the computer gives back to you after processing the input.

Think of it like a conversation. You speak (input), and the other person listens and then replies (output). In computing, you might type a question into a search engine (input), and the search engine gives you a list of results (output). This constant flow of input and output is how computers perform all their amazing tasks.