Change Language:

Input and Output Devices

The input-output or I/O devices provide the means of communication between the computer and the user. The input and output devices are the hardware components that allow the user to input data and instructions into the computer and to receive the processed data. The data and instructions are given to the computer through input device. The computer processes the data according to the given instructions and output is received onto the output device or it is stored permanently on the storage device.

Various types of input/output devices are available used for different types of applications. The I/O devices are slower as compare to the speed of CPU and primary storage. It is because the speed of I/O devices depends upon the mechanical movement of the components of the devices. It is impossible that the I/O devices and the CPU and primary storage have the same speed.

Input and Input Devices

Input is any data or instructions entered into the computer in the form of signals. The input into the computer can be entered:

• Through keyboard (by typing characters).
• By selecting commands (icons) on the screen and then clicking with mouse.
• By pressing finger on a touch screen.
• By speaking into a microphone.
• By sending image through digital camera.
• By scanning data printed on paper through scanner etc.

Therefore, the devices that are used to enter data and instructions or commands into the computer are called input devices or units. The input devices are the eyes and ears of computers. In old computers the punched card readers, paper tape readers were used as input devices. Now-a-days, the commonly used input devices are:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Touchpad
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Light Pen
• Digital Scanner
• Digital Camera
• Microphone

It must be noted that floppy drives, hard disks and CD drives are used for both input and output devices. Now-a-days, the most popular input devices are keybaord and mouse. The other input devices are used for special purposes.

Output and Output Devices

The processed input data into a useful form is called output when input data is processed, computer generates several types of output, depending upon the hardware and software used and the requirements of the user. The user use output on a screen, prints it on the printer or hear it through speakers or head sets.

Therefore, output is normally classifieds as:

An output device is a hardware component used to get output from the computer. A number of output devices are available. The commonly used output devices include display device (Monitor), printer, speaker and headset, fax machine etc.

• [Computer Hardware] - Components of Computer System
• [Computer Hardware] - Types of Computers
• [Computer Hardware] - Output and Output Devices
• [Computer Hardware] - What is pointing device part 2
• [Computer Hardware] - What is pointing device
• [Computer Hardware] - Classification of Computers
• [Computer Hardware] - Computer keyboard and keys
• [Computer Hardware] - Types of Monitors Part I
• [General Computer] - History of Comptuer
• [Computer Hardware] - Computer Mother Board Parts
• [Computer Software] - What is Operating System?
• [General Computer] - Data Processing Information
• [Hardware Tips] - Magnetic Tape Disk and Drive
• [General Computer] - What is Data Processing
• [Hardware Tips] - Storage Devices