Computer Input and Output - Essay Example

It is because of these two aspects of computers that there is a need to review what input and output in a computer means in terms of processing, and its relevance in computing altogether.

Input is based on several devices that facilitate the placing of data within a computer and can be in the form of characters, images, and even instructions. The keyboard is one such input device that inputs characters and instructions directly into the computer, where characters refer to text. On the other hand, instruction comes in the form of text and function keys that are specially programmed to deliver instruction. Other than the keyboard, there is a need to have pointing devices, based on the user interface that a computer uses, whereas graphical user interfaces require pointing devices.

These include mice, touchpads, trackballs, trackpads and even touch screens, which position the cursor at different positions on the screen of the computer. Apart from the common input devices, there are other specialized devices used in input based on their application and the need to have them, which include scanners, magnetic ink character recognition, barcodes, voice input and graphic tablets., These are specialized, as they are not necessarily in every computer operation, for example, a bar code scanner is only used in points of sale to input the identity of an item on sale for the processing of its cost.

After the data is input into the computer, it travels through the expansion bus and into the processor for computation creating a need to view the product (Patkay).In this case, output devices come into play and include visual, audio, and graphical output. Visual output appears in the form of on-screen output where all information is displayed on a screen that could be led, LCD, or even a CRT monitor. The screen creates the first interaction with processed data or even data that has been input into the computer providing a visual expression of data for users.

Another form in which data can be output is through hard copies of data, where information is printed on paper and presented to a computer user. These produce both written numbers and letters while others create impressions of graphics, but are all based on the technology used in the printing devices. In addition, voice output synthesizes speech and uses it to express data or information that has been input into the computer, where these are not real voices (Patkay).