Introduction to computer.

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions

stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data
according to specified rules, produce information (output), and store the
information for future.
Introduction to Computer System ( Block diagram ).

Introduction / Purpose of Computer System Components.

These components help users enter data and commands into a computer
system. Data can be in the form of numbers, words, actions, commands, etc.
The main function of input devices is to direct commands and data into
computers. Computers then use their CPU to process this data and produce
output.
• Input devices.
In computing, an input device is a piece of equipment used to provide data and control
signals to an information processing system, such as a computer or information appliance.
Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners, cameras, joysticks, and
microphones.
1. Keyboard.

The keyboard is an input device that allows you to enter letters, numbers and symbols
into your computer.

2. Pointing device.

An input device type which is used to control the movement of a cursor on the
computer screen is known as Pointing Devices. It allows users to input continuous and
multi-dimensional data to the computer. Example - Trackball, Mouse, Touchpads etc.

3. Microphones.

Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in a digital

form.
4. Scanning device.

A computer scanner is a digitizer, which is a type of input device. It takes real-world

objects (e.g., a document or picture) and converts them to digital information for a
computer.

5. Digital camera.

A digital camera is an input device that captures images (and

sometimes video) digitally.
6. Sensor.

Sensor is an input device which provides an output (signal) with

respect to a specific physical quantity (input). It is the device which
provides input to a main control system (like a Processor or a
Microcontroller).
7. Smart band.

A smartboard is an interactive electronic board that you can use for various purposes.
The smartboard is connected to your laptop or computer. As a result, it behaves as a
display on the one hand and as an input device on the other.

• Output devices.
Any peripheral that accepts data from a computer and prints, projects, or reproduces it is
known as an output device. The output may be audio, video, hard copy – printed paper, etc.
Output devices convert the computer data to human understandable form
1. Display screens.

Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output device
of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged in a
rectangular form.

2. Speakers.

A speaker is an output device that produces sound through an oscillating transducer

called a driver.

3. Printer.

A printer is basically an output device which prints a hard copy of the electronic data
that is stored in the computer or any other devices. The electronic data may include
documents, text, images or even the combination of all three.

4. Plotters.
Plotters are used to print graphical output on paper. It interprets computer
commands and makes line drawings on paper using multicolored automated pens. It
is capable of producing graphs, drawings, charts, maps etc.

5. Difference between hard copy and soft copy.

A soft copy could be text files, images and videos. A hard copy, on the other hand, is
defined as a physical object like a printed document.

Written by Dua Alvi.