INPUT DEVICES

Data and instructions are entered into a computer through input

devices .An input device converts input data and instructions into
electrical signals that can be accepted by the computer .
A Large variety of input devices are available.The commonly
used input device is a Keyboard .A number of input devices have
been developed that do not require typing for inputting
information .These are :
1.Mouse

3.Scanner

2.Joystick

4.Bar Code Reader

All the above-mentioned devices are called pointing devices as

they are called pointing devices as they allow the user to select
something on the screen by pointing to it.

1.Keyboard

i) A keyboard is used to enter data directly into the computer.

ii)While working on a computer,using a keyboard you will notice a
flashing line on the screen .
iii)This is called the cursor.

iv)When a key on a keyboard is pressed,that character is

displayed at the point where the cursor is flashing and the cursor
moves one position forward.
v)The keyboard provides different keys to perform various
operations.

2.Mouse

i) A mouse is a pointing device which rolls on a small bearing and

has one or more buttons on the top.
ii)When a user rolls the mouse across a flat surface the mouse
pointer moves in the direction of mouse's movement
iii)This movement positions the pointer on a menu of choice that
the user can select.
iv)With a click of the mouse button,the system can be notified of
this choice.
v)The mouse can also be used to draw sketches ,diagrams ,edit
text etc. .

3.Joystick

i)A joystick is also a pointing devices.

ii)It is used to move cursor position on the screen.
iii)A joystick has a spherical ball at its lower as well as its upper
end.
iv)While playing games,the user needs to move certain objects
quickly across the screen.
v)A joy stick makes it easier,as it provides a better control.

4.Scanners

i)A scanner scans an image and transforms the image to the code
used by a computer.
ii)Scanners are of two types -The flatbed type and the Rollerfed
type
iii)The flat bed scanner works like a photocopier.
iv)In a Roller Fed scanner like the fax machine,the image is
passed over a roller where it is a captured.
v)A Pen scanner is an electronic highlighter that enables you to
scan and store the images from books without having to remove
the page,which is difficult in the case of the rollerfed scanner.

5.Bar Code Reader

i)It can read special lines or bar codes.

ii)The most common bar code is the Universal Product
Code(UPC)found in most grocery items.
iii)This code consists of vertical bars that represent the
manufacturers identity and the identity of the item but not the
items price.
iv)The UPC symbol is read by a fixed scanner licked to cash
register like devices.
v)The computer system identifies the product,its brand name,and
other information and uses its data to find the items price.

OUTPUT DEVICES
There are Many devices available to output information from a
computer.Two common devices are :
1)Visual Display Unit (VDU)
2)Printers

Visual Display Unit(VDU)

1.The VDU is similar to a TV screen and can display both texts

and graphic images is called a Monitor
2.Monitors are available in 8",12",14",15",17",19" and even 21"
size.
3.Various Kinds of Monitors are available-Black and white or
colour.
4.Some display sharper images than others.Images are formed on
the Monitors Screen with the help of the display adapter card.
5.Data can be represented on the screen in two modes-text mode
and graphics mode.In the Text mode only text or individual
characters can be displayed.In the Graphics mode the Picture can
be shown by constructing an imageon the screen using dots.
Printers

1.Printers are the most Popular devices.They provide information

in a permanent readable form
2.Printers Can be Divided into Two Categories.
a.Impact Printers

b.Non Impact printers

3.Impact Printers in these printers there is a mechanical

contact between the printhead and paper.The impact printers are
further classified into the following categories.
a.Line Printers

b.Character Printers

4.Line Printers prints one line of the text at a time.Printing

speeds vary from 300-300 lines per minute.
5.Character Prints one character prints one character of the
text at a time.They are Low speed printers.Their printing speed
lies in the range of 30-600 characters per second .