Computer Fundamentals: IPOS Cycle

A computer is an electronic device that performs four basic functions. These functions make up the IPOS cycle, or information processing cycle. The four functions are as follows: 

Input-The action of entering data into the computer.

Processing-The manipulation of input data by a sequence of instruction. This instruction will then convert the data into information. Data is just raw bits of facts and is unorganized. Information is data that is organized in a useful manner.

Output-The display of information.

Storage-The action of saving information for later use.

These functions depend on each other. Therefore, the IPOS cycle is always carried out in this order. This is generally how a computer works. Next, we'll look at how each function in the cycle works.

The first step is input. Input comes in many forms. Some examples are words, numbers, pictures, and videos. You input data through devices like keyboards, microphones, or webcams. An example would be pressing keys on a keyboard. Each key is assigned a unique binary code. Each time a specific key is pressed, the computer receives a signal from the keyboard. This signal informs the computer that a key was pressed. In return, the computer processes that signal and displays the same character that was struck on the keyboard. This what we call input. Next, we'll look into the processing step.

In this cycle, processing converts data into information. The central processing unit receives directions from the operating system software and the application software. This allows the central processing unit to perform operations based on the input of data. As previously stated, pressing a key on a keyboard will send a signal to the computer. The computer will then process this signal to display on the screen. This is an example of processing. The next step well look into is output.

Output is experienced through devices such as a monitor, or speakers. These devices enable you to see and hear the results of processing. The most common example is a computer monitor. When a keyboard key is struck, its character will be displayed on the monitor. This is output. The last step we will look into is storage.

In this last step, information is then stored for future use. Take for example, a word document you are typing. While you are typing, data is held in RAM until you save your document. RAM, or random access memory, is a device that temporarily stores data. When the computer power goes off, all data that was in RAM becomes lost. Once the file is saved, data is then stored in a storage device. A storage device retains all data even when the computer turns off. These are the things that occur in the storage step.

To recap what I said, computers perform four basic functions. These functions occur in a very specific order. Those functions were input, processing, output, and storage. All of these functions depend on each other.