THE MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO

UNIVERSITY OF BARODA

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND

INFORMATION SCIENCE
FACULTY OF ARTS
(BLIS – 2022-23)

NAME: ANKITA CHATTERJEE

SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (CORE 03) ASSIGNMENT
 INTRODUCTION
A Computer is a machine that accepts data as input, processes
that data using programs and outputs the processed data as
information.
Initially computers were developed to perform mathematical
operations, but later on, they were used to store the result of
those operations, which with the time leads to the storage of
other data or information.
• DATA: - It is a collection of unprocessed facts, figures, and
symbols.
EXAMPLE – Rahul, 21, age, old, years

• INFORMATION: - It is a processed form of data. It is

organised, meaningful and useful.
EXAMPLE - Rahul is 21 years old.
OR
Rahul’s age is 21 years.

A computer can be defined as advanced electronic device

that takes raw data as input from the user. It uses a set of
instructions (called program) to process the data and give
the result (output). The result can be used immediately or
saved for future use.

In the process of converting data to information, a

computer uses HARDWARE & SOFTWARE. At the simplest
level, all computers consist of these two basic components;
THE HARDWARE AND THE SOFTWARE.
HARDWARE: - It is any part of the computer that has a physical
structure that can be seen and touched, though some may be so
tiny that they are invisible to the naked eye.
SOFTWARE: - It is the instruction set that tells the computer
how to perform tasks. Software is intangible i.e., that cannot be
seen and touched, but it’s effect is clearly defined.

Hardware components are classified into following

categories:
• INPUT DEVICE
• OUTPUT DEVICE
• STORAGE OR PROCESSING DEVICE
 Hardware is also divided into two parts: -
• External Hardware
• Internal Hardware

External Hardware: - External Hardware components, also

called peripheral components, are those items that are often
externally connected to the computer to control either input
or output functions. These hardware devices are designed to
either provide instructions to the software (input) or render
results from its execution (output). Example: - Keyboard,
webcam, speech input, light pen, microphone, etc.

Internal Hardware: - Internal hardware is the hardware

inside the computer or is a device that is installed within the
computer. Example: - RAM, Network card, Modem,
Motherboard, CPU, etc.

INPUT DEVICE

Input Devices are the devices that allow a user to enter data and
instructions into a computer such as keyboard, mouse,
microphone, scanner, trackball, joystick, graphics tablet and
digital camera.
OR
An Input Device is a piece of hardware used to provide data to a
computer used for interaction and control. It allows input of raw
data to the computer for processing.
 Functions of input device

The various functions of Input Devices are: -

• They accept data and instructions from the user.
• They convert these instructions and data from human
readable form to machine readable form.
• They supply the converted instructions and data to the CPU
for further processing.

examples of input devices of a

computer
Several types of Input Devices are available to enter raw data
into a computer. Each device has its own functions, benefits and
drawbacks. The following are examples of commonly used Input
Devices:
• KEYBOARD: - The
Keyboard is one of the
primary input devices,
which helps in entering
data and commands in a
computer. The layout of a keyboard is almost identical to a
traditional typewriter with additional keys that help in
performing specific tasks. A normal keyboard usually has a
variety of keys, such as alphabetic character keys, function
keys, number keys, arrow keys, and control keys.
 The keyboard can be connected to a computer using USB
(for a wired keyboard) or Bluetooth (for a wireless
keyboard). There is no specific rule for defining the number
of keys; however, most keyboards come in two sizes - 84
keys or 101/102 keys. Nowadays many major brands are also
making keyboards with 104 keys or 108 keys for Windows.
Laptops come with inbuilt, more compact keyboards,
which help make the laptop smaller and lighter. Besides,
most modern devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and
convertible touch screen laptops) come with on-screen
virtual keyboards that help to input the data into a
computer. Most English language keyboards have a
QWERTY layout. Before the keyboard, punch cards and
paper tape were used to enter data and commands into
computers.

• Mouse: - A mouse is
the most common and
very popular pointing
device that helps
interact with a
computer through a
process called 'point
and click'. This is
mainly used to move a cursor on the computer's screen and
click on the corresponding object using its buttons (usually
left, right, and middle key roller buttons). The left button
helps select items while the right button helps display
menus. The scroll wheel mainly helps to move the scrollbar
up and down while surfing the web or reading documents.
Some advanced mouse may also have additional buttons to
perform specific tasks. Like the keyboard, the mouse can be
both wired and wireless. Previously, the mouse used an
 integrated ball and roller, known as a mechanical mouse, to
track the cursor move. The modern mouse uses optical
technology (laser) to control or track the movements of the
cursor; such a mouse is called an optical mouse.

• Joystick: - Joysticks are

widely used to play games
on a computer. They help
control the characters and
vehicles of the game. It can
be a standalone device or
can be included with
multiple buttons and
triggers to add options to perform more in-game features. It
can also be used as a pointing device like a mouse.
Essentially, a joystick is a handle that has a spherical ball at
both ends (upper and lower). It can be moved in all four
directions, and its angle or moving direction is sent to the
computer as data.

• Touchpad:- The
touchpad, also known as
a trackpad, is an input
device that is primarily
integrated with a laptop.
It is a pointing device like
a surface that can detect
the movements of our
fingers and move the pointer accordingly. It is nothing but a
common alternative to a mouse and also helps to make
computer devices compact, small, and lightweight.
 Touchpads were introduced mainly for laptops in the year
1990. Almost all modern laptops come with a touchpad that
helps to perform mouse functions.

• Light Pen: - A light pen is another

pointing device that has the same
structure as a pen. It is a light-sensitive
device consisting of a photocell and an
optical system placed in a small tube. It is
mainly used to select on-screen items,
draw pictures, and write independently
in document files using a computer
screen. When the tip of the light pen is
moved on the computer screen and the button on the pen is
pressed, the photocell sensing element detects the screen
location and sends the corresponding signal to the CPU. This
helps the CPU detect pointer movements and clicks.

• Track Ball: - The trackball is a pointing

device that is used to perform similar
tasks as a mouse. However, its mechanical
structure is slightly different from that of
the mouse. Unlike a mouse, the trackball
does not need to be moved around the
surface. Instead, the user is required to
rotate a ball by turning the fingers, which
moves the pointer accordingly. The ball is
inserted halfway into an instrument and may contain various
shapes, such as a ball, square, or button. Because the
trackball does not need to be moved around the surface, it
can be perfect for low-lying areas. A trackball also has
 buttons to perform certain functions like a mouse.
Trackballs may be stand-alone devices or may be attached to
a keyboard, notebook, or laptop computer instead of a
mouse.

• Scanner: - A scanner is an essential input

device that allows us to convert a hard
copy document into a digital file (.jpeg,
.png, .pdf, etc.). It basically uses optical
technology that reads characters or
pictures from a paper and transfers them
to a computer's drive for further
manipulation. Like other images, the
scanned image can also be saved, edited,
emailed, and printed whenever we want. Scanners can be of
different types, depending on the different functionality.
Some common types of scanners include a photo scanner,
flatbed scanner, drum scanner, sheet-fed scanner, handheld
scanner, etc.

• Graphic Tablet: - A graphic tablet, also

known as a digitizer, is primarily used to
digitally transform hand-drawn artwork
(.png, .jpeg, etc.). It is an input device with
a flat surface and comes with a stylus.
Users can use a stylus to draw graphics on
a surface like we draw something on paper
using a pen or pencil. The digitizer reads
the signals and converts graphics to binary
input. The same drawing is displayed on a computer screen
in real-time and can be saved, edited, emailed, or printed.
 Besides, digitizers can also be used to signatures or texts as
handwritten texts or computer-typed texts.

• Touchscreen: - Touchscreens are

widely used due to the use of portable
devices, such as smartphones,
notebooks, tablets, laptops, etc. Touch
screens allow users to input anything
from moving or copying any object.
Users can perform tasks using only their
fingers or stylus. A touch screen is
nothing but a touch-sensitive surface or
monitor screen that reads the signals of movement of the
user's fingers and performs certain tasks accordingly. This
can be seen nowadays in most devices, such as smartphones,
cameras, GPS screens, smartwatches, laptops, etc.

• Microphone: - A microphone, also

known as a mic, is a type of voice input
device that allows users to input voice
into a computer system. Mics typically
read sounds from the surroundings and
convert analogue sound waves into
electrical signals. These signals are
further converted into digital form and
stored in the computer. Mics are used
for many purposes, such as adding sound to a presentation,
chatting while online gaming, video conferencing, voice
calling, recording, voice recognition, and more. They can be
of different types, depending on the quality and specific
 functionality. Some common types of microphones include
a dynamic mic, ribbon mic, condenser mic, etc.

• Digital Camera: - A digital camera is

an input device that is used to capture
images and video in digital form. This
allows users to store the captured media
files in a memory card and transfer
them to the computer. Digital cameras
use an image sensor chip to capture
images rather than the film used by
traditional cameras of the old days. Digital cameras are
widely used nowadays. Many advanced digital cameras also
come with a screen that displays captured media as well as
allows for many other options, such as preview, zoom,
delete, send, and more.

• Webcam: - Webcam can capture images

and videos and convert them into a
digital form. A webcam is slightly
different from a digital camera. Unlike
digital cameras, webcams cannot
operate independently. They should be
connected to a computer. Also, webcams
have no inbuilt memory; they use the
computer's storage to save captured
data. Webcams are most commonly used for video chatting
and live-streaming videos.

• Magnetic Ink Card Reader

(MICR): - MICR is a device that
typically reads characters or texts
 that are printed on paper using ink that contains particles of
magnetic material. This device is mainly used in banks to
read the cheque number and bank code and to send a signal
to the computer to process a valid cheque. This reading
process is known as magnetic ink character recognition. The
MICR input device is very helpful for processing a large
number of cheques in a short duration and that too with
almost 100% accuracy.

• Optical Character Reader

(OCR): - OCR is an input device
used to read the handwritten or
printed text and convert them to
digital text. This device reads text
optically, character by character,
and converts the text into digital
form to be stored in a computer. It is mostly used in libraries
and offices to copy texts from books and save them digitally.
OCR scans the documents like a scanner and then converts
them into two coloured bitmap versions (usually black and
white). The light scanned areas are considered as
background, while dark areas are considered as characters.

• Bar Code Reader: - A bar code

reader, also known as a barcode
scanner, is an input device used to
read bar codes. Barcodes are data
written as dark and light lines.
Barcodes are usually printed on
various items for labelling details. It is
also known as a POS (point of sale)
scanner. The bar code reader scans
 the bar code image using light, which is then reflected and
translated into an analogue signal. The signals are then
decoded and transformed into alphanumeric values to be
stored in a computer connected to a barcode reader. This
ultimately helps in identifying product details and prices
from the database.

• QR Code Reader: - The QR code

reader, also known as the QR code
scanner, is an input device used to
read QR codes. QR codes are
computer-generated patterns that
store or hold a modest amount of
data. They do not require a database
to store information separately. QR
code readers are almost identical in functionalities to bar
code readers.

• Optical Mark Reader: - The

OMR is a type of input device
that optically scans the paper
and identifies the mark created
using a pencil and pen. It is
mainly used to verify answers
from answer sheets, which include answers to multiple-
choice questions.

• Biometric Devices: - Biometric

devices are used to input a person's
scanned data based on biological
characteristics, such as facial
 structures, fingerprints, eye corneas, etc. Most modern
smartphones come with the feature of Face Unlock and
Fingerprint Unlock, making them a biometric device.
However, they can also be standalone devices.

• Motion Capturing Devices: - These

are the devices used to detect human
movements and send them as input to
the computer. Such devices are mostly
used in advanced gaming setups,
which allow players to play a game by
moving their body parts accordingly.
This technique is also beneficial in
animation and robotics.

PROCESSING DEVICE
When a computer receives data from an Input Device e.g.,
Keyboard, the data goes through an intermediate stage before
it’s sent to an output device e.g., Monitor.
The processing device is the computer’s hardware component
that helps to handle the storage and retrieval of the information.
In the computer, processing devices play major role in the
processing operations. These devices are used to process the
data with using of instructions from the program.
CPU (CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT) is capable to execute all
instructions, which can be input and output operations or logical
comparisons or numerical. They provide all co-ordinations tasks
of other computer units and to make ensure that everything
work properly.

FUNCTION OF PROCESSING DEVICE

In the Computer system, processing devices process all coded
data that is inputted by the users through input devices such as
mouse, keyboard, trackball, etc.
After processing, these data are converted into useful
information and then transferred to the output devices like as
monitor, speaker, printer, etc.
First of all, data is fetched from the input devices passes via an
intermediate level before output on the suitable output devices.
Example - Central Processing Unit (CPU) receives the input data
and executes the mandatory processing including calculations,
and stores it on the computer’s memory.

Examples of processing
devices of a computer
There is list of different types of processing devices of computer.
Some of them are given below:
• CPU: - It is alternately
referred to as a processor,
 central processor, or microprocessor, the CPU is the Central
Processing Unit of the computer. A computer's CPU
handles all instructions it receives from hardware and
software running on the computer. For example, the CPU
processed the instructions to use a web browser to open and
display this web page on your computer. The CPU is often
referred to as the brain of the computer. The CPU is a chip
inside the computer. The CPU's main function is to take
input from a peripheral (keyboard, mouse, printer, etc) or
computer program, and interpret what it needs. The CPU
then either outputs information to your monitor or performs
the peripheral's requested task. The CPU was first invented
and developed at Intel with the help of Ted Hoff and others
in the early 1970s. The first processor released by Intel was
the 4004 processor.
In the CPU, there are two primary components:
➢ ALU (arithmetic logic
unit): - It performs
mathematical, logical,
and decision operations.
It acts as a gateway
between primary
memory and secondary
storage. Data passes
between them passes
through ALU.
➢ CU (control unit) – It directs all the processors
operations. It fetches, decodes, and executes
instructions. It issues control signals that control
hardware. It moves data around system.
In the past, computer processors used numbers to identify the
processor and help identify faster processors. For example, the
Intel 80486 (486) processor is faster than the 80386 (386)
processor. After the introduction of the Intel Pentium processor
(which would technically be the 80586), all computer processors
started using names like Athlon, Duron, Pentium, and Celeron.
Today, in addition to the different names of computer processors,
there are different architectures (32-bit and 64-bit), speeds, and
capabilities.

• GPU: - GPU stands for graphics processing unit. GPUs are

commonly referred to as graphics cards or video cards. Every
PC uses a GPU to render images, video and 2D or 3D
animations for display. A GPU performs quick math
calculations and frees up the CPU to do other things. A GPU
has thousands of smaller cores made for multi-tasking and
is found in the best graphics cards for gaming.
There are two different types
of GPUs:
➢ Integrated GPUs: -
They are located on a
PC’s CPU and share
memory with the CPU’s
processor.
➢ Discrete GPUs: - They
live on their own card and have their own video
memory (VRAM), so that the PC doesn’t have to use its
RAM for graphics.
Many graphics cards today run on GDDR SDRAM, which
stands for graphics double data rate synchronous dynamic
random-access memory. Further variations, from worst to
best performance, are: GDDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5,
GDDR5X, GDDR6 and GDDR6X.
 STORAGE DEVICES
A storage unit is a part of the computer system which is
employed to store the information and instructions to be
processed. A storage device is an integral part of the
computer hardware which stores information/data to
process the result of any computational work. Without a
storage device, a computer would not be able to run or
even boot up.
OR
A storage device is used for storing, porting, or
extracting data files. It can also store information/data
both temporarily and permanently.

Types of storage devices

Computer storage devices play vital role in the computer
industry because without storage devices entire system
like as plastic box. There are different types of storage
devices:
1. PRIMARY STORAGE DEVICES
2. SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES

• PRIMARY STORAGE DEVICES: - Primary storage is also

known as “Main Storage “, “Main Memory” or “Internal
Memory” as well as they play major role for storing data and
applications as a temporarily basis while the computer is
running mode, because these storage devices are capable to
access all data directly from CPU with the help of various
data buses. These devices have limited capacity for data
storage compare to secondary storage devices.
Primary storage devices are available in two variance such as
volatile and non-volatile. Volatile storage is called
temporary storage because in which all data are deleted
when power gets turn off mode but its access time and
response time much fine to secondary storage devices. Non-
volatile storage is permanent storage in which nothing
data erase when system gets turn off.

EXAMPLE OF PRIMARY STORAGE DEVICES: - There are

four examples of primary storage devices ----
➢ Register Memory
➢ RAM
➢ ROM
➢ Cache Memory

❖ REGISTER MEMORY: -
Computer is enabled
with various “Bits”, and
these bits are known as
the “Register Memory “.
The register memory is
very smallest unit of the
primary storage devices. It is able to store 32 to 64
Bits that is enough for performing their regular tasks
on the computer system. These are much fastest
storage device to other storage mediums.
 ❖ RAM (RANDOM
ACCESS MEMORY): -
RAM stands for
“Random Access
Memory “, and it is
capable to access any
data randomly any
time as well as from any location to computer. This
is volatile storage device means to temporary
memory in nature, because entire data goes delete
while computer get turn off mode. RAM regains all
data from CPU in run-time and sends to control unit,
and it is a fastest memory to hard disk. RAM has two
variants -----
o Static RAM: - Static RAM works in
computer as a form of Cache Memory, but
it consumes more power as well as more
costly to DRAM. Static RAM uses six
transistors, and each transistor uses to one
bit.
o Dynamic RAM: - DRAM uses the
capacitors for storing data in few
milliseconds while system’s power gets
turn on. Dynamic RAM’s speed is slow as
well as consuming low power. It is capable
to store more data compare to SRAM.
DRAM is cost effective as well.

❖ ROM (READ ONLY

MEMORY): - ROM stands for
“Read Only Memory”, and it is
non-volatile memory in nature,
that means it is able to store data in permanently while
getting to turn off power. ROM is programmable chip
because in which stored all instructions that are most
required when to start computer. This computer
starting process is known as “Bootstrap”. ROM has four
variants -----
o MROM: MROM stands for “Masked
ROM “. MROM has to contain the
all pre-planned programs like as
piece of instructions, and it is
cheaper as well.
o PROM: PROM stands for
“Programmable Read Only Memory
“. Users can store any data as per
their requirement because these
ROM is available in market in
blank.
o EPROM: EPROM stands for
“Erasable and Programmable “. In
these types of ROM, users have
power to editing (erase) the stored
instruction (program) in EPROM.
EPROM is erasable by ultra-violet
light for some time like as 40
minutes.
o EEPROM: EEPROM stands for
“Electrically Erasable and
Programmable Read Only Memory
“. In EEPROM, all activities such as
programming and erasing are
performed by electrically. This
EEPROM is able to reprogrammed
 and erased in more than ten
thousand time.

❖ CACHE MEMORY: - Cache

memory has higher speed for
accessing data, and allows to
computer for storing piece of
data in temporary nature.
Cache memory is place at
near the CPU and RAM.
Cache memory speed is very
fast because its travel
distance is short between RAM to Cache memory.
Cache memory has three variants, such as – Level 1
cache, Level 2 cache, Level 3 cache.

• SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES: - Secondary storage

devices are also known as “Auxiliary Memory “, or “External
Memory “. Secondary storage devices are volatile in nature;
it means that data does not discard while getting to turn-off
power, in which all data store for long time. Secondary
storage devices have the speed of access of data is very slow
compare to primary storage devices, and they are cheaper
as well. Without primary storage devices, these secondary
storage devices are useless because secondary storage
devices must be needed the primary memory for processing
data. First of all, entire data is transferred into primary
memory then data is getting to make for executable.

EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES-----

Secondary storage devices are used in computer either
internally or externally. Secondary Storage devices have four
examples-----
➢ Magnetic Storage Devices
➢ Optical Storage Devices
➢ Flash Memory Devices
➢ Online Cloud Devices

❖ Magnetic Storage Devices: - In the Magnetic storage

devices, all data are stored with using magnetized
medium, and these types of data saved in that medium
in the binary form like as 0 and 1. This magnetic storage
has also non-volatile storage nature. There are different
types of devices, which are used as Magnetic Storage;
like as –
o Floppy Disk: -
It is also known
as a floppy
diskette. It is
generally used
on a personal
computer to store data externally. A
Floppy disk is made up of a plastic
cartridge and secures with a protective
case. Nowadays floppy disk is replaced by
new and effective storage devices like
USB, etc.
o Hard Disk: - It is a
storage device
(HDD) that stores
and retrieves data
using magnetic
 storage. It is a non-volatile storage
device that can be modified or deleted n
number of times without any problem.
Most of the computers and laptops have
HDDs as their secondary storage device.
It is actually a set of stacked disks, just
like phonograph records. In every hard
disk, the data is recorded
electromagnetically in the concentric
circles or we can say track present on
the hard disk, and with the help of a
head just like a phonograph arm (but
fixed in a position) to read the
information present on the track. The
read-write speed of HDDs is not so fast
but decent. It ranges from a few GBs to
a few and more TB.
o Magnetic Cards: - It is
a card in which data is
stored by modifying or
rearranging the
magnetism of tiny
iron-based magnetic
particles present on the
band of the card. It is
also known as a swipe
card. It is used like a passcode (to enter
into house or hotel room), credit card,
identity card, etc.
o Tape Cassette: - It is
also known as a
music cassette. It is a
rectangular flat
 container in which the data is stored in
an analogue magnetic tape. It is
generally used to store audio recordings.
o Super Disk: - It is also
called LS-240 and LS-120. It
is introduced by Imation
corporation and it is popular
with OEM computers. It can
store data up to 240 MB.

❖ Optical Storage Devices: - Optical Storage Devices is

also a secondary storage device. It is a removable
storage device. Following are some optical storage
devices:
o CD: - It is
known as
Compact Disc.
It contains
tracks and
sectors on its
surface to store
data. It is made up of polycarbonate
plastic and is circular in shape. CD
can store data up to 700MB. It is of
two types:
✓ CD-R: - It stands for
Compact Disc read-
only. In this type of CD,
once the data is written
cannot be erased. It is
read-only.
 ✓ CD-RW: - It
stands for
Compact
Disc read
Write. In this
type of CD,
you can easily write or
erase data multiple
times.
o DVD: - It is known as
Digital Versatile Disc.
DVDs are circular flat
optical discs used to
store data. It comes
in two different sizes
one is 4.7GB single-
layer discs and
another one is 8.5GB double-layer
discs. DVDs look like CDs but the
storage capacity of DVDs is more
than as compared to CDs. It is of
two types:
✓ DVD-R: - It stands for
Digital Versatile Disc
read-only. In this type
of DVD, once the data
is written cannot be
erased. It is read-only.
It is generally used to
write movies, etc.
✓ DVD-RW: - It stands
for Digital Versatile
Disc read Write. In
 this type of DVD, you
can easily write or
erase data multiple
times.

o Blu-ray Disk: - It is
just like CD and
DVD but the
storage capacity of
Blu-ray is up to
25GB. To run a Blu-
ray disc, you need a
separate Blu-ray
reader. This Blu-ray
technology is used to read a disc
from a blue-violet laser due to
which the information is stored in
greater density with a longer
wavelength.

❖ Flash Memory Device: - It is a cheaper and portable

storage device. It is the most commonly used device to
store data because is more reliable and efficient as
compare to other storage devices. Some of the
commonly used flash memory devices are:
o Pen Drive: - It
is also known
as a USB flash
drive that
includes flash
memory with
an integrated
USB interface.
We can directly connect these
devices to our computers and
laptops and read/write data into
them in a much faster and efficient
way. These devices are very
portable. It ranges from 1GB to
256GB generally.
o SSD: - It stands
for Solid State
Drive, a mass
storage device
like HDDs. It is
more durable
because it does
not contain
optical disks
inside like hard disks. It needs less
power as compared to hard disks, is
lightweight, and has 10x faster read
and write speed as compared to
hard disks. But these are costly as
well. While SSDs serve an
equivalent function as hard drives,
their internal components are much
different. Unlike hard drives, SSDs
 don’t have any moving parts and
thus they’re called solid-state
drives. Instead of storing data on
magnetic platters, SSDs store data
using non-volatile storage. Since
SSDs haven’t any moving parts, they
do not need to “spin up”. It ranges
from 150GB to a few and more TB.
o SD Card: - It is
known as a
Secure Digital
Card. It is
generally used
with
electronic
devices like phones, digital cameras,
etc. to store larger data. It is
portable and the size of the SD card
is also small so that it can easily fit
into electronic devices. It is
available in different sizes like 2GB,
4GB, 8GB, etc.
o Memory Card: -
It is generally
used in digital
cameras. printers,
game consoles,
etc. It is also used
to store large
amounts of data
and is available in different sizes. To
run a memory card on a computer
 you require a separate memory card
reader.
o Multimedia Card: -
It is also known as
MMC. It is an
integrated circuit that
is generally used in-
car radios, digital
cameras, etc. It is an
external device to
store data/information.

❖ Online Cloud Devices: -

Nowadays, secondary memory has
been upgraded to virtual or cloud
storage devices. We can store our
files and other stuff in the cloud and
the data is stored for as long as we
pay for the cloud storage. There are
many companies that provide cloud services largely
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. We can pay the rent
for the amount of space we need and we get multiple
benefits out of it. Though it is actually being stored in
a physical device located in the data centres of the
service provider, the user doesn’t interact with the
physical device and its maintenance. For example,
Amazon Web Services offers AWS S3 as a type of
storage where users can store data virtually instead of
being stored in physical hard drive devices. These sorts
of innovations represent the frontier of where storage
media goes.
 OUTPUT DEVICES
An output device is essentially a piece of instrument or
computer hardware that retrieves data from a computer system
and further translates the received data into a form
understandable to humans. The most common human-
understandable forms typically include text, visual, audio, or a
hard copy (printed on a paper).
OR
An output device is a type of peripheral device that helps us to
get data processed from a computer, usually in the form of
audio, visual, and xerox.

Results of data fed into a computer machine are performed using

specific hardware devices. During the process, the result
(retrieved data) is referred to as the output from the computer
machine while the devices or hardware devices used to obtain the
output are referred to as the output devices.
The output devices can be classified into four categories, such as
visual, data, print, and sound. Depending on the type of computer
and the requirements, different output devices can be attached to
the computer system.

FUNCTIONS OF OUTPUT DEVICES

Output devices operate by receiving signals from computers and
use that signal to process a task to provide output in varying
forms.
The function of the output device can be easily understood by the
following steps:
▪ When we press a key on the keyboard (input device), it
sends a signal to the computer.
▪ The computer further processes the input and sends the
signal to the monitor (output device).
▪ The monitor then translates the received signals and
displays the result (output) on the screen, whichever key we
have pressed using the keyboard.
That is how an output device functions. In case there are no
output devices attached to the computer, we would still be able
to press a key on the keyboard and the computer would still
process it. However, we wouldn't be able to see what key we have
pressed to ensure the correct inputs.

EXAMPLES OF OUTPUT DEVICES OF

A COMPUTER
Several types of output devices are available that help in obtaining
output from a computer. Each device has its function, merits, and
demerits. The following are examples of commonly used output
devices:
• Monitor: - The most common example
of an output device is a monitor. It is also
known as VDU (Visual Display Unit). It
consists of several components, such as screens, circuitry,
power supplies, screen adjustment buttons, and more, which
are assembled into a casing. The monitor provides output
from a computer on a screen so that users can interact with
or view data digitally. The monitor typically provides output
in symbolic and graphical form, generated using several
small dots, known as pixels. These pixels are usually
arranged in a rectangular form. That way, the monitor
creates real-time video pictures and other contents with the
help of a video card. The more pixels we have, the better the
sharpness and quality of images.
Monitors are broadly classified into two types, such as
Cathode-ray tubes and Flat-panel displays.
❖ Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)
Monitors: - CRT monitors use
cathode ray tubes that help to
produce images in the form of
video signals on the screen.
More clearly, the cathode ray
tube generates electron beams
through the electron guns, which strike the screen's
inner phosphorescent surface to form the image on the
screen. The monitor usually contains millions of
phosphorus dots in red, green, and blue. These
phosphorescent dots help to form pixels. The sharpness
and clarity of the picture depend mainly on how many
pixels are there and what their sizes are. The smaller
the pixels, the better the picture quality of the screen.
Since CRT monitors use red, green, and blue electron
beams, the colours we see on the screen are a mixture
of these three lights. The magnetic field helps to
control the electron rays accordingly. Due to the large
 size and heavy power consumption, CRT monitors are
currently not in widespread use.
❖ Flat-Panel Displays: - Flat-
panel displays use liquid crystal
technology or plasma to
generate output. In these
devices, light is passed through
liquid crystals to form pixels.
Nowadays, most of the devices
are manufactured using flat
panel displays as there are significant advantages of
using these displays over the traditional CRT displays.
Flat-panel displays typically have lower volume,
weight, and power consumption than CRT monitors.
They are very light and thin and can even be hung on
walls or worn on wrists. These types of displays can be
found in devices such as calculators, portable video
games, laptops, monitors, smartwatches, and many
other digital devices. There are mainly two categories
of flat-panel displays, such as a non-emissive display
and an emissive display.
o Non-Emissive Displays: - Non-emissive
displays include all such devices that use
optical effects to transform sunlight or light
from other sources into graphics patterns.
LCD is an example of a non-emissive display.
✓ LCD: - LCD monitors
are small and
lightweight flat panel
displays. These
monitors use the light-
modulating property of
liquid crystals. In
 particular, an LCD screen is constructed
using two layers of polarized glasses
with a liquid crystal solution between
them. Additionally, a cold cathode
fluorescent light is placed in these
devices to backlight the displays. When
light is passed through the first layer,
the electric current aligns the liquid
crystals. These aligned crystals then
allow different levels of light to pass
through another layer, creating an
image on the screen. These displays can
be found on the screens of laptops,
smartphones, tablets, televisions, etc.
LCDs typically use a matrix of pixels to
display images on the screen.
Previously, LCDs used passive-matrix
technology, whereas modern LCDs use
capacitors and thin-film transistors as
well as active-matrix technology.
Because of this, modern LCDs include
pixels that can hold their charge. Thus,
modern LCDs do not have the blurry
image problem that older LCDs had to
face when images moved fast.
o Emissive Displays: - Emissive displays
include all such devices that typically
transform electrical energy to light. LED and
plasma panels are examples of emissive
displays.
✓ LED: - The
LED monitor
is an improved
version of the
LCD monitor.
Unlike LCDs,
LED monitors make use of multiple
panels consisting of multiple LEDs to
backlight the display. Regardless of the
backlighting source, the technology
used in LEDs is similar to LCD. LED
monitors are comparatively more
reliable because they have a wider
dimming range. LED displays are in
widespread use due to their advantages
over other displays. These displays can
be found in modern TVs, monitors,
laptop screens, smartphones, tablets,
smartwatches, etc. LED displays have
better light intensity and therefore
produce better quality output. In
addition, LEDs are known to consume
less power than other displays.
✓ Plasma: - Plasma
monitors use plasma
display technology.
These displays
usually consist of
small cells between
two glass panels.
Cells typically
contain a mixture of noble gases with
small amounts of mercury. When the
 voltage is applied, the gas in the cells
converts to plasma and emits ultraviolet
light to produce images on the screen.
Plasma monitors are relatively thinner
than CRT monitors and brighter than
LCD monitors. These types of monitors
offer high resolutions up to 1920 x 1080
with excellent contrast ratio, refresh
rates, and wide viewing angles. That
way, they provide us a brilliant viewing
experience either we watch movies, play
games, or study.

• Printer: - The printer is another

most common example of output
devices that can be easily found in
homes and many workplaces. The
primary function of a printer is to
make a copy (usually called ‘Hard
copy’ or ‘Xerox copy’) or print the
information on paper that is sent from the computer to the
printer. The printer receives electronic data from the
computer and produces a hard copy of the processed data.
Earlier printers were only able to make black and white
prints; however, today's printers can produce monochrome
and colour prints with high quality. Additionally, they are
now available with wireless support, making the print job
much easier. Printers are broadly classified into two types,
such as impact printers and non-impact printers.
o Impact Printer: -
Impact printers
typically use a type
of hammer or print
head that is pushed
onto the ink ribbon,
which then jointly
strikes on a paper
and draws the
characters. Although these printers come at a
low cost, they make a lot of noise and are
therefore not in widespread use nowadays.
However, they can be the best choice for bulk
printing due to their reasonable cost. Impact
printers are divided into two types, such as
character printers and line printers.
➢ Character Printers: -
Character printers refer
to printers that can only
print one character at a
time. These printers use
one single stroke of the
hammer/ print head at a
time. Therefore, they
cannot print an entire line at once. In
addition, character printers are not
compatible with printing images (except
a dot-matrix printer), making them less
useful for the current era. Character
printers are further sub-divided into the
following two types:
✓ Dot Matrix Printers: -
Dot matrix printers are
 the most popular type of
impact character printer.
These printers use a pattern
of dots to print characters or
pictures. The pattern is
structured by striking a
ribbon soaked in ink on paper
with the help of a hammer or
print head. The print head
consists of several pins and
structures with multiple dots
in a pattern to generate the
corresponding character. To
print colour documents, the
black ribbon on these printers
can be replaced with coloured
stripes. Generally, dot matrix
printers can print 200–500
characters per second.
✓ Daisy Wheel Printers: - The
daisy wheel printer consists of
a wheel or a disc with a print
head and several pins such as
a daisy's petal (a flower)
corresponding to the
characters. Thus, it is called a
daisy wheel printer. To make
a print, the printer rotates the
wheel with its respective
characters. When the desired
character reaches the print
location, the hammer strikes
the disc and the ink ribbon
 further creates a
corresponding character on
the paper. These printers are
slow and noisy, making them
unusable for today's
generation.
➢ Line Printers: - Line
printers refer to printers
that can print one line at a
time. These printers are
high-speed impact printers
and can print up to 3000
lines per minute. Like
character printers, line
printers are also not compatible with
printing images. Line printers are further
sub-divided into the following two types:
✓ Drum Printers: - Drum printers
use a rotating drum that has a
circular band on its surface. The
band contains characters on its
surface. Multiple hammers are used
in these printers to print characters
from different columns of the band.
A paper is rolled around the surface
of the drum. When the print
command is given, the drum rotates
and the hammer strikes on the ink
ribbon, respective to the desired
character. That way, the drum
printers eventually print a character
on paper. Drum printers usually
print character by character and are
 not compatible with printing
graphics. However, the overall
speed of printing characters using
these printers is quite fast. Like
other impact printers, drum
printers also make noise due to the
hammering system.
✓ Chain Printers: - Chain printers
use a rotating chain with characters
printed on their surface. The chain
rotates horizontally with the help of
two gears. These printers have
several hammers: the total number
of hammers is equal to the number
of print positions in these printers.
When the print command is given,
the chain rotates and the hammer
strikes the ink ribbon as soon as the
desired character arrives at the print
location. The ribbon then creates a
character on paper. These printers
can print 500 to 3,000 lines per
minute. Chain printers also make a
noise like other impact printers.
o Non-Impact Printers:
- Non-impact printers
do not use any hammer
or print head to strike
the ink ribbon. These
printers print
characters or images
without using ribbons.
Unlike impact printers, the internal machinery
of non-impact printers does not make direct
physical contact with the paper. These types of
printers usually print the entire page at once,
and therefore, are also called page printers.
Non-impact printers are divided into two
types, such as laser printers and inkjet
printers. Among all printers, these are the two
most common types of printers.
➢ Laser Printers: - Laser printers use laser
light to make dots, which later help to
form letters to print on paper. In
particular, the laser beam hits the drum
and structures the image structure on the
drum by controlling the electric charge.
The drum then rolls into toner and sends
the charged structure to the toner. The
toner prints the respective structure on
the paper with the help of some heat and
pressure. After the document is fully
printed, the drum loses electric charge
and collects the remaining toner. Instead
of using liquid ink, laser printers use
powder toner for printing documents.
This ultimately helps these printers to
 produce quality prints with resolutions of
600 dpi (dots per inch) and more.
➢ Inkjet Printers: - Inkjet printers are
widely used non-impact character
printers. These printers usually print the
characters or pictures by spraying small
drops of ink on the paper. These droplets
are passed through an electric field that
controls the sprays to print the
appropriate characters or images. Inkjet
printers do not make noise because there
is no hammer like an impact printer.
These printers use ink cartridges.
Modern inkjet printers have ink
cartridges of four different colours: black,
yellow, cyan, and magenta. This
ultimately allows these printers to
produce high-quality colour prints.

• Touchscreen: - Touchscreens are

output devices seen in various
devices due to the use of portable
devices. It is a thin, lightweight panel
developed to receive output from a
computer. In particular, the touch
screen is a touch-sensitive surface or
monitor that can display visuals or graphics. Nowadays
touch screens can be easily found in modern devices, such as
laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc. Because we can also use
touchscreens to give input, these devices are also known as
input-output devices.
• Projector: - A projector is
a display output device
because it receives images
from a computer and
transfers those computer
images to a wall, surface,
or projection screen. Specifically, the computer first sends
the signal to the video card, which then transmits the signal
to the projector to project the images on the surface.
Previously, projectors used lens systems that produced
images by shining light through transparent lenses. Modern
projectors use laser systems to directly project images using
lasers. Modern projectors are also called video projectors
because these projectors can also project moving images
along with still images.

• Speakers: - Speakers
are one of the most
common output devices
used on computers to
achieve audio output.
Computer speakers
usually receive signals from the sound card and then convert
them to audio. These speakers use internal amplifiers that
vibrate at different frequencies to increase/decrease the
volume or amplitude of the sound as per the choice of the
user. Most monitors and laptops come with inbuilt speakers.
However, we can also connect external speakers to the
computer via both wired and wirelessly. The speakers are
mainly used to obtain the loud sound output.
• Headphones: -
Headphones, also known as
earphones, are output
devices that allow us to listen
to audio from a computer.
These devices are mainly
used to listen to audio
privately or without disturbing others around. Headphones
come in a variety of sizes and designs and can connect with
supported devices via both wired or wirelessly. Headphones
primarily receive audio input from connected devices and
convert them into audio output in waveforms. Many
headphones come with a microphone, making them a great
device for communicating with family or friends. These
output devices are mostly used to communicate in gaming
and on bulk calls.

• Sound Card: - A sound card,

also known as an expansion
card, is a type of output device
that is usually installed on a
motherboard in the inner case
of a computer. The main
function of a sound card is to
control the output of sound signals and enable devices such
as speakers and headphones to function. Sound cards
usually work with the help of drivers and software. Although
a sound card is not mandatory for the basic functions of a
computer system, it is added to the computer for listening to
audio, playing games, watching movies, listening to music,
video conferencing, and more.
• Video Card: - As the sound
card, a video card is also an
expansion card installed on
the slots in the
motherboard. The primary
function of a video card is to
process images and videos
so that their visuals are
displayed on the screen. It is also known as a video adapter.
A video card is a basic requirement of a computer system and
therefore most computers come with regular video and
graphics capabilities to display images and video. However,
to get more detailed graphics, a higher video card is
required. This is why most gaming computers and laptops
use additional (dedicated) video cards.

• GPS (Global Positioning System):

- GPS or a global positioning system
is a radio-based navigation system
consisting of a network of multiple
satellites. It uses a system of about 31
satellites located in space to provide
accurate results. The satellites use
microwave signals to interact with GPS devices. Nowadays
GPS is mostly found in smartphones, smartwatches, laptops,
etc. Anyone can use this system to get the location on the
map. This mainly helps in obtaining the exact location of
connected devices or locations on the map in the form of
latitude and longitude coordinates on the Earth. In addition,
these devices provide information on vehicle speed, weather
conditions, and many other pieces of data.
• Braille Reader: - A Braille
reader is an output device
that primarily helps blind
people read content (texts
only) from a computer screen.
The computer sends signals
to the Braille reader, which
converts them into Braille letters in the form of pins
embossed on a flat surface. People with blindness can touch
these pins and interpret the letters accordingly. Braille
readers are manufactured in different sizes, making them
usable on different devices. Generally, they are found in the
size of the computer keyboard.

• Speech-Generating Device (SGD): - Speech

generating devices are output devices that help
generate voice output from the text displayed
on a computer screen. In particular, these
devices convert text to speech. Additionally,
whenever a user enters something from the
keyboard and when the command is executed,
SGD can help listen to the entered data as
sound output. Speech generating devices are also known as
speech synthesizers and voice output communication aids.
These output devices are widely used in telephone
exchanges and the treatment of blind and mute people.

• Plotter: - A plotter is an output device

that is almost identical to a printer.
However, it is primarily used to print
vector graphics with high quality.
Unlike a printer, a plotter has various
advanced features and can also print on cardboard, film,
fabric, and many other synthetic surfaces. The plotter helps
to produce large-size hardcopies of graphics or designs. It
derives the design from the graphic card and then interprets
the vector graphics. A plotter usually uses colour pens to
draw multiple lines between different points to create the
entire design. Plotters are expensive compared to printers.

COMPUTER PORTS
A port in a computer is referred to as a computer port or
communication port or a docking point forms a connection
to which all the external peripheral devices are connected
to the computer. It is used to transfer the signals from one
computer to another computer or from peripheral devices
to a computer. The peripheral devices or external devices
are mouse, keyboard, monitor, speaker, flash drive,
microphone, printer, scanner, etc. Internal ports are used
to connect internal devices like hard disks, CD ROM, and
DVD drive. Similarly, external ports are used to connect
external devices.

FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER
PORTS
The functions of computer ports are:

▪ It connects the external devices to a computer.

▪ These are external slots on the motherboard
where all the peripheral device (mouse, printer,
 keyboard, speakers, monitor, microphone, etc)
cables are plugged in.
▪ It acts as an interface or forms a connection
between the devices where the flow of
information/ data/ signal takes place from the
computer to other devices.
▪ It provides communication between the
peripheral devices and computers to transfer the
signals very quickly.
▪ Responsible for serial communication and parallel
communication.

TYPES OF PORTS
➢ Serial Port (COM Port): - A serial port is also
called a communication port and they are
used for connection of external devices like a
modem, mouse, or keyboard (basically in
older PCs).

➢ Parallel Port: -Parallel ports are generally used

for connecting scanners and printers. It can send
several bits at the same time as it uses parallel
communication.
➢ Universal Serial Bus (USB): - This
can connect all kinds of external
USB devices, like external hard disk,
printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard,
etc. There are minimum of two USB
Ports provided in most of the
computer systems.

➢ PS/2 Port: - PS/2 ports are

special ports used for
connecting old computer
keyboard and mouse. It was
invented by IBM.

➢ VGA Port: - VGA ports also known as Video Graphic Array

connector are those which connect the monitor to a
computer’s video card.

➢ Sockets: - Microphones and speakers are connected with

the help of Sockets to the
sound card of the computer.
➢ Fire Wire Port: - It can transfer large amount
of data at very high speed. It is used to connect
camcorders and video equipment to the
computer.

➢ Infrared Port: - An
Infrared (IR) port is used
to sends and receives
infrared signals from other
devices. It is a kind of
wireless type port with a
limited range of 5-10ft.

➢ Game Port: - These ports are used previously

to connect a joystick to a PC. But nowadays it
is replaced by USB ports.

➢ Modem Port: - As the name

suggests, a Modem port is used to
connects a PC’s modem to the
telephone network.
➢ Ethernet Port: - Ethernet Port helps to connect to a network
and high-speed Internet (provided by LAN or other sources).

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, hardware and software are required
to make a computer system to operate effectively.
Hardware is the physical components while the
software forms the interface between the hardware
and software.