Which term best matches 'Data that is entered into a computer; for example from a mouse, keyboard, or microphone'?

• A. Data
• B. OS
• C. Loop
• D. Input

Answer: (D)

Think about what happens when you type, click, or speak to a computer. The data that comes from those devices as it first enters the computer is called input. Input covers keystrokes from a keyboard, movements or clicks from a mouse, and audio from a microphone. Data by itself is a general term for information, not specifically about how it gets into the system. The operating system is software that manages the computer, not the act of feeding data in. A loop is a programming construct that repeats steps, not related to data entry. So input is the best match because it describes the data as it enters the computer from outside sources.