3. Input

Input refers to entering the data into the system.

Data can be entered by a variety of methods, for example:

• a keyboard to manually type in the data
• a mouse to select from a list of options
• scanning a barcode
• using an optical mark reader
• MICR

Examples of input data could include:

- data collected by a temperature sensor being automatically input into a central heating system

- student grades from a piece of homework being entered into a teacher's electronic markbook

- lottery ticket numbers being 'fed' into an OMR which then enters them into the National Lottery system