Computer and its devices
The computer has become an integral part of a person’s life. It is a comprehensive data processing device.
The computer exchanges information with the outside world using peripheral devices. Only thanks to peripheral devices, a person can interact with a computer, as well as with all devices connected to it.
Computers really have amazing capabilities and are able to make our lives much easier. The machine can analyze only what already exists, and devices help it to do this.
Most devices are input or output devices only. However, some devices can accept input and output to the display, and these are called I/O devices.
What are computer input devices?
Input devices convert information from a form understandable to a person into a digital form perceived by a computer. To enter information into a computer, you need to use input devices; their main role is to create an impact on the computer. Although they function in different ways, they have one purpose – to allow the user to contact the computer. Modern computers can process numeric, text, graphic, audio and video information.
Examples of input devices:
Keyboard – allows you to enter numeric and text information into the computer.
The microphone is used to input audio information, connected to the input of the sound card.
The scanner is used to convert photos, drawings and text to digital format.
The webcam is capable of capturing video images in real time, which it then transmits over a computer network.
Special sensors allow you to measure and enter into the computer’s memory such environmental characteristics as temperature, humidity, pressure and much more.
Once more is a mouse. Using the mouse, you can point to objects and/or select them.
What are computer output devices?
Information output devices of computers translate information from a computer language into human-readable forms. The output of information from a computer is a very important opportunity for a person to receive information in the form in which it will be possible to perceive it. Have you ever wondered how information is output from your computer? There is nothing complicated here, devices have appeared for a long time, thanks to which we carry out the output of information from the computer.
Examples of output devices:
The first is the screen. It receives data from a computer and displays this information in the form of text and images for users to view. It cannot accept data from the user and send it to another device.
The second is the projector. It projects information in the form of text and images onto a surface such as a wall or screen.
The third is speakers. They receive audio data from a computer and play sounds for users to listen to.
The fourth is the printer. Creating a printed version of a document is one of the main tasks of a computer. By displaying the result of work on a sheet of paper, the printer multiplies the relationship between a person and a computer. It should be noted, however, that printers are not limited to paper media now. For example, there are 3D printers.
The last is the plotter. Plotters are used for the output of complex and large—format graphic objects (posters, drawings, electrical and electronic circuits, etc.). The principle of operation of the plotter is the same as that of the inkjet printer.
A person can get almost any information from a computer and use it for its intended purpose thanks to output devices. Perhaps modern technologies are not yet able to present information that carries taste perception and smell to a person at an accessible level, but undoubtedly developments in this direction have already blown out.
Is the input device different from the output, and how?
The major distinction between input devices and output devices in computers is as follows. Input devices are used only to receive input signals from the user, and output devices are used to display output signals to the user. An I/O device can receive data from users or another device and send data to another device at the same time. For example, a CD-RW drive and a DVD-RW drive. They receive data from the computer (input) for copying to a writable CD or DVD. In addition, the drive sends the data contained on the CD or DVD (output) to the computer.
USB receives or saves data from the computer (input). In addition, the drive sends data to a computer or other device (output).
What are the main differences between these devices?
Input devices are more complex because they have complex encoding. This ensures that the user can interact with the computer correctly. The output devices are simpler for the user because they only see the results and they don’t need to study the processes.
