Computers are everywhere. While we know our laptops and desktops are computers, it is easy to forget all the other devices that contain computers as well. This includes phones, watches, even some light bulbs! Modern cars have been called "computers with wheels attached." However, there are four functions that all computers share.

• Input - how you get information into the computer

• Storage - how the computer holds information it needs

• Processing - how the computer changes or analyzes information

• Output - how you get information from the computer

We'll learn about these functions and their corresponding hardware in the following pages, but to help you remember the functions, here's an analogy. Feel free to try this at home!

The smoothie as a computer

You will need:

• some fruit (bananas, strawberries, or whatever you have on hand, frozen fruit works best)

• apple juice

• a blender

• a cup

To make your smoothie, you will input your fruit and apple juice into the blender's storage container. Process the fruit by pressing the blend button. Then output the finished smoothie into the cup. Congratulations! You've computed a smoothie!

on to Input & Output