Input and Output Devices
Examples of Input Devices:
- Keyboard: A keyboard allows users to input text, numbers, and commands into a computer. Each key corresponds to a specific character or function. When a key is pressed, it sends a signal to the computer, which interprets it and displays the corresponding character or executes the command.
- Mouse: A mouse is a pointing device used to interact with items on the screen. Moving the mouse on a flat surface moves the cursor on the monitor. Clicking the buttons on the mouse allows users to select items, drag-and-drop, and execute commands.
- Scanner: A scanner converts physical documents and images into digital formats. It works by passing light over the document, which is then reflected back to a sensor. The sensor reads the light intensity and converts it into digital data, which the computer can process and store.
Examples of Output Devices:
- Monitor: A monitor displays visual information from the computer, such as text, images, and videos. It works by receiving video signals from the computer’s graphics card and converting them into images displayed on the screen.
- Printer: A printer produces a physical copy of digital documents or images on paper. It receives data from the computer, processes it, and uses ink or toner to create the printout.
- Speakers: Speakers output sound from the computer, converting digital audio signals into sound waves. The computer sends audio data to the speakers, which then vibrate to produce sound.
How These Devices Work Together: Input and output devices work in tandem to facilitate user interaction with a computer. For example, a user may type a document using a keyboard (input device) while viewing the text on a monitor (output device). The user can then move the cursor with the mouse (input device) to select and edit the text. Once the document is complete, it can be printed using a printer (output device) or played back as an audio file through speakers (output device). These devices, connected to the computer, create a seamless workflow where data is input, processed, and then output in various forms.
