Computer Input and Output

Dairne Jesperson
Charles Darwin University 04/05/03 1
 Introduction

This presentation aims to:

briefly explain what computer input and output
is
examine some of the more commonly used input
and output devices to help understand these
concepts.

04/05/03 2
 Input

Input is any data or instruction that is entered

into the computers memory.

Input devices are the hardware components that

you use to enter the data or instructions into the
computer.

04/05/03 3
 Output

Output is a result of: Output can be displayed:

– inputting data into the – on screen,
computer – printed out,
– the computer processes – in the form of graphics, or
the data – voice or sound output.
– the computer sends out
the processed information
by means of an output
device

04/05/03 4
 Devices
These are just a few of the input and output devices you may recognise
Input Devices Output Devices

Keyboard Computer screen

Mouse Speakers
Scanner Printer
Joystick
Microphone
Digital camera
04/05/03 5
 Keyboard
A particular key is pressed,
sending an electronic signal
to the computers ‘brain’.

The computers ‘brain’

interprets the signal.

The computer sends back a

particular letter or character
which represents the signal
that the computer has
interpreted.

04/05/03 6
 Mouse
Controls the movement of the cursor on the
screen – as you move the mouse, the cursor
moves in the same direction.

Useful in graphics programs where you can draw

pictures by using the mouse as a pen or
paintbrush.
So called because of it’s shape – the wire
connecting it to the computer being it’s tail.
04/05/03 7
 Scanner
Scans a picture or text.
Translates information into a form the computer
can understand.
This information can then be
– displayed on the computer screen
– stored to a file
– used in computer documents

04/05/03 8
 Computer Screen

The most obvious and

useful output device,
displaying text and
graphics as you are
working on them.
Can display still or moving images.

04/05/03 9
 Speakers

Speakers output sound from

your computer.

The speakers take the

electronic signals stored on
things like CD’s and DVD’s
and and send them out as
the sound we can hear.
04/05/03 10
 Printer
This device is used for outputting text or images
onto paper.

Different kinds of printers produce different

quality output.

Laser and ink-jet printers produce

the highest quality documents.

04/05/03 11
 To Summarise…
Machines that let you enter data are input
devices

Machines that show you the data in a form

you can understand are output devices.

04/05/03 12