Input and output

Abstract

Input devices are those portions of computer, data processing, and information systems that perform the essential function of providing some means for entering commands and data into the system. Therefore, input devices are found in all such systems, but are treated here as a separate equipment group, independent of the total system configuration. However, the place of input devices in a representative computer system may be clarified by reference to Figure 10.1, which shows the interface of the main input device categories in relation to the portions of the generalized system that accept the inputs. The categories and the devices listed in Table 10.1 are the subject of this section.