First of all the data has to go into your computer. You have to use your input devices to be able to put all the information into your computer. An input device could be your key board because you have to type all your information to be able to get it on your computer. The second step is the information has to go through computer and has to be able to save. The last step is the output device. An example of an output device could be a printer because the printer gives you information that you typed and it comes out of a machine which is an output.