Data Input

• Data must be provided in a suitable form for any computer system to

process it.  ‘Input’ means to enter data, programs, commands and user
responses into the memory of a computer.

• An input device is any device that transfers data from the outside world
into a computer.

• Input devices can be classified into two (2) groups:

I. Manual Data Entry Devices
II. Direct Data Entry Devices 
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
KEYBOARD
• A keyboard has a set of alphabet keys, number keys and various
function keys, so the data entered is in the form of individual letters,
words or numbers.  When you press a key on the keyboard, a number
(code) is sent to the computer to tell it which key was pressed.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
MOUSE
• The most common pointing input device is the mouse.  As you move
it along a flat surface, the pointer on the screen moves in the same
direction.  It usually has two buttons:
•      1. the left button which selects
text and opens files
•      2. the right button which is
used to access menus.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
• The mechanical mouse has a rubber ball underneath it to help it roll
smoothly in all directions.
• The optical mouse uses an optical system to track its movements.  It
is not physically connected to the computer and uses infrared or radio
waves to communicate with the computer.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
Typical mouse techniques include:
• Point - points at an object on the screen
• Click - a single click of the left button, used to select an item
• Double Click - two consecutive clicks of the left button, used to open
files, folders and programs
• Right Click - one click of the right button, brings up a pop-up menu
• Drag and Drop - holding down the left button while moving the
mouse, used to copy files from one location to another 
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
JOYSTICK
• A  joystick is similar to a vehicle’s gear shift
but with buttons to activate different
commands.  Generally used in game playing
but is also useful in virtual reality and
controlling robot movements.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
TOUCH SCREEN
• Touch screens are specially mounted screens
that are sensitive to touch, so there is no need
for a keyboard or mouse.  Banks, malls and
restaurants use touch screens to provide
information to the public.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
TOUCH PAD
• A touch pad is a flat rectangular surface which senses
movement of a finger on its surface.  These devices are usually
found on notebook computers and are used instead of a mouse.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
LIGHT PEN / Stylus
• Similar to a mouse, but you can
move it over the screen and point at
items on the screen to input data.
MANUAL DATA ENTRY DEVICES
VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM
• Data is input in audio (voice) form.  The input is analyzed for
commands and is then processed.  This allows users to dictate text or
give commands directly to the computer.