input/output device

input/output device

▪ computer technology
also known as  computer peripheral 

      any of various devices (including sensors) used to enter information and instructions into a computer for storage or processing and to deliver the processed data to a human operator or, in some cases, a machine controlled by the computer. Such devices make up the peripheral equipment of modern digital computer systems.

      An input device converts incoming data and instructions into a pattern of electrical signals in binary (binary number system) code that are comprehensible to a digital computer. An output device reverses the process, translating the digitized signals into a form intelligible to the user. At one time punched-card and paper-tape readers were extensively used for inputting, but these have now been supplanted by more efficient devices.

      Input devices include typewriter-like keyboards; hand-held devices such as the mouse, trackball, joystick, and special pen with pressure-sensitive pad; and microphones. They also include sensors that provide information about their environment—temperature, pressure, and so forth—to a computer. Another direct-entry mechanism is the optical laser scanner (e.g., scanners used with point-of-sale terminals in retail stores) that can read bar-coded data or optical character fonts. Output equipment includes video display terminals (either cathode-ray tubes or liquid crystal displays), ink-jet and laser printers, loudspeakers, and devices such as flow valves that control machinery, often in response to computer processing of sensor input data. Some devices, such as video display terminals, may provide both input and output. Other examples are devices that enable the transmission and reception of data between computers—e.g., modems and network interfaces. Most auxiliary storage devices—as, for example, magnetic tape, magnetic disk drives, and certain types of optical compact discs—also double as input/output devices (see computer memory).

      Various standards for connecting peripherals to computers exist. For example, integrated drive electronics (IDE) and enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) are common interfaces, or buses, for magnetic disk drives. A bus (also known as a port) can be either serial or parallel, depending on whether the data path carries one bit at a time (serial) or many at once (parallel). Serial connections, which use relatively few wires, are generally simpler and slower than parallel connections. Universal serial bus (USB) is a common serial bus. A common example of a parallel bus is the small computer systems interface, or SCSI, bus.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • input-output device — įvedimo išvedimo įtaisas statusas T sritis radioelektronika atitikmenys: angl. input output device vok. Ein Ausgabevorrichtung, f rus. устройство ввода вывода, n pranc. dispositif d entrée/sortie, m …   Radioelektronikos terminų žodynas

  • Input-output device —   A computer device for exchanging data between a computer and the outside world. See also Input device and Output Device …   International financial encyclopaedia

  • input/output — UK US adjective (ABBREVIATION I/O) ► IT relating to the process of receiving and sending information to and from a computer or the pieces of equipment involved in the process: » Some input/output controllers also offer Ethernet connectivity… …   Financial and business terms

  • Output Device —   A computer device for getting data out of a computer. See also Computer system, Input output device and Input device …   International financial encyclopaedia

  • Input/output — In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers to the communication between an information processing system (such as a computer), and the outside world – possibly a human, or another information processing system. Inputs are the signals or data… …   Wikipedia

  • Output device — An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) to the outside world. In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers… …   Wikipedia

  • Input/Output Base Address — In x86 architecture, an input/output base address is a base address used for an I/O port.Common I/O Base Address Device Assignments in IBM PC compatible computersNote: For many devices listed above the assignments are only defaults which can be… …   Wikipedia

  • input/output (I/O) channel —    A device that allows independent communications between the memory exchange and the I/O exchange; controls any peripheral device and performs all validity checking on information transfers …   IT glossary of terms, acronyms and abbreviations

  • General Purpose Input/Output — General (GPIO) is a acronym of General Purpose Input/Output. A microprocessor, microcontroller or interface device may have one or more GPIO connections, to interface with the outside world.These can act as input, to read digital signals from… …   Wikipedia

  • Programmed input/output — (PIO) is a method of transferring data between the CPU and a peripheral such as a network adapter or an ATA storage device. In general, programmed I/O happens when software running on the CPU uses instructions that access I/O address space to… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”