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Storage

              Storage is the process of storing either raw data or processed information. The data can be stored either using
              secondary storage devices like flash drive, hard disc, compact disc, or online storage medium like Google Drive,
              OneDrive, etc.

              Input-Process-Output Cycle

              All computing work revolves around three interrelated parts i.e., input, process, and output.
                 • An input is accepted by the user through the input devices.
                 • It is then processed by CPU and sent to the user as an output using output devices.
                 • There can be a need to store the output for later use in the storage devices.
                 • Sometimes the result generated acts as an input for the next stage of data flow.
                 • This flow of information follows a cycle which is known as the Input-Process-Output Cycle.

                                                   Input                    Output
                                       Data                    Process                 Information







                                                               Storage


              Characteristics of a Computer

              Following are some of the important characteristics of a computer:
                 • Speed: A computer can process data at a speed of millions of instructions per second. It is faster than human
                beings in doing complex tasks which can otherwise take a few days to process manually. It uses its internal clock
                to measure the processing speed for completing the job. The unit of computer speed is Hertz, which equals
                one cycle per second.
                 • Accuracy: The information provided by the computer is very accurate. Sometimes we may feel that we are not getting
                the desired result or maybe the output generated is not accurate. When we give wrong input to the computer, the
                system malfunctions or gives wrong output. It works on the principle of GIGO(Garbage In Garbage Out).
                 • Reliability: Information received using a computer is highly reliable. During an online flight reservation, seat
                allocated to one person cannot be reallocated to another at any cost. So, we can totally depend on the availability
                of information of seats during online booking or availability of stock during online shopping.
                 • Storage: Large volumes of data can be easily stored in a small space. Data can be preserved for a long time with
                least possibility of data tamper or data loss. There is no need to maintain a huge volume of manual registers and
                separate store room allocation to it.
                 • Versatile: Computer doesn’t mean a laptop or a personal computer. It can be a smartphone, tablet, online
                booking counter machine, ATM machine, X-ray machine in hospitals and GPS system in our cars. It is available in
                a variety of forms. So, we can say that it is highly versatile and has been designed to do any kind of job.


                       Input Devices


              The devices which help to give data or instructions to the computer are called input devices. The most commonly
              used are keyboard and mouse. Let us learn about some of the input devices.


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