We explain what input / output devices are in computing, their function and some examples.
What are input and output devices?
In computing, is known as input / output devices (or bidirectional peripherals) those electronic devices that allow both inputting and extracting information from a system. For example: a touch monitor or a multifunction printer.
The input / output devices can carry out both the input and output tasks of information, which is why they are called "mixed" or Input / Output (I / O) (the English for input / output). Some devices do it simultaneously and others do it in shifts.
When these devices function as input devices or input introduced into a system or computer new information, that is, they enlarge the content of the database. For example: When a multifunction printer scans a document and feeds it into the computer in image format.
On the other hand, when a mixed device functions as an output or output transmits information from a computer so that it can be interpreted by the user. This information can be transmitted in the form of image, text, audio, among others. For example: When a multifunction printer prints a document and reproduces an image or digital document on paper or other media.
The input / output devices are not very frequent because most of the devices that connect to the computer such as peripherals They are used either to enter or to extract information, there are few that perform both functions. Some devices that work only as input device they are the keyboard, mouse or camera. Some devices that work only as output devices it's the speakers and headphones.
Examples of input / output devices
Some examples of I / O devices are:
- Multifunctional printers. They are devices that connect by cable or wirelessly to a computer or device and allow both printing documents (functioning as an output device) and scanning them (functioning as an input device).
- Touchscreens. They are devices in which the user can see the information that the system emits and execute actions by pressing the screen. When the display shows the information at the Username, this unit functions as an output device. On the other hand, when the user enters information by pressing the screen with their fingers, it works as an input device.
- Network devices. They are modems and network cards that allow you to connect the system to computer networks, from which information can be extracted or downloaded (and thus function as an input device) or send it (and thus function as an output device).
- Virtual reality headsets. They are devices that are placed on the head to simulate a real presence in a virtual environment. They function as an output device because they output images and sounds of a virtual world in the viewers arranged in front of the eyes and, on the other hand, they function as an input device because they receive information from the user when they perform certain movements to execute actions.
- Storage devices. They are devices used to store information (such as the USB, DVDs, memory cards and CDs) and which, in some cases, are considered input / output devices. They can be considered as input / output because they store information that can be extracted or entered into the computer. However, it is also believed that they do not fall into this category because they are considered neither input nor output devices, but rather have a storage function.