Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Types of Peripheral Devices
3.
Input Devices
3.1.
Examples 
3.2.
Uses of Some Input Devices
4.
Output Devices
4.1.
Examples
4.2.
Uses of Some Output Devices
5.
Storage Devices
5.1.
Examples
5.2.
Uses of some Storage Devices
6.
Input-Output peripherals
6.1.
Examples
6.2.
Uses of some Input-Output devices
7.
Uses of Peripheral Devices
8.
FAQs
9.
Key Takeaways
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024

Peripheral Devices

Author Muskan Gupta
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Introduction

Peripheral Devices are mainly used for devices connected to computers internally or externally. It is also known as peripheral. These devices are used for input-output processes. As per the given command from the CPU, these devices read or write data in the memory unit. Famous examples of peripheral devices are keyboard, mouse, microphone, Scanner, Printer, etc. In this blog, we will learn about peripheral devices' concepts and their types and examples.

Also Read - Shift Registers in Digital Electronics

Types of Peripheral Devices

Peripheral Devices are mainly divided into three categories:-

  1. Input devices
  2. Output devices
  3. Storage devices

Input Devices

These devices convert incoming instructions and data into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code that is understandable to a digital computer. We can also define input devices as these devices are used for sending instructions or data to the computer. 

Examples 

Keyboard, scanner, microphone, etc.

Uses of Some Input Devices

Keyboard: It is the most popular input device used to enter commands in the form of text to the computer. It has many keys like function keys, numeric keypad, character keys, and various symbols.

Scanner: It scans objects like photos or documents and changes them into digital information, and we can further process it in our system. 

Output Devices

These devices work in the reverse way of input devices. It translates the digitized signals into a form intelligible to the user. They are the devices that provide output from the computer.

Examples

Monitor, Printer, speaker, headphones, etc.

Uses of Some Output Devices

Monitor- It is also a prevalent output device that displays text, images, videos, etc., on its screen with the help of video adapters that change the electrical signals to the text and pictures.   

Printer: It helps us make a permanent record of computer data on paper.

Storage Devices

These devices are used to store the data required for performing any operation in the system. It is one of the most needed devices in the system. 

Examples

Magnetic tape, hard disk, flash memory, etc.

Uses of some Storage Devices

Magnetic Disk-

It has high-speed rotational surfaces which are coated with magnetic material. There is a mechanism called the read-write mechanism, which helps to achieve access to write on or read from the magnetic disk. It is generally used for volume storage of programs and information.

Magnetic Tape-

It uses a read-write mechanism to store data files. In this mechanism, data is read or written from a magnetic tape. And, the tapes store data in sequence. In each sequence, searching begins from the start, and the computer checks each record until the desired data is available. It is considered the cheapest medium for storing purposes as it can store a large number of bytes, binary digits, etc., on every inch of it. 

Input-Output peripherals

These peripherals take input as well as provide output.

Examples

Touch Screen, Headsets, fax machine(since it uses scanner and Printer), etc.

Uses of some Input-Output devices

Fax machine-

This device uses a scanner and a printer. So, it takes input as well as gives output.

Headsets-

This device consists of speakers and a microphone. So, it takes input as well as gives output.

You can also read about Input-Output Processor here.

Uses of Peripheral Devices

Following are the uses of Peripheral Devices:

  • It helps to take input easily.
  • Specific output is also provided to it.
  • It also possesses a storage device to store data.

FAQs

1. Which type of peripheral device is the teletypewriter terminal?

Ans:- Teletypewriter terminal belongs to input/output devices among peripheral devices.

 

2. Which type of devices are under the control of computers and connected to the peripheral?

Ans:- "on-line devices" are the devices under the control of computers and directly connected to the peripherals. 

 

3. Why are peripheral devices significant?

Ans:- They are significant because they help communicate with computers. It would be tough to communicate information with our computer without them.

 

4. What is Programmable Peripheral Interface(PPI)?

Ans:- It is also known as PIA(Peripheral Interface Adapter). It is a multiport device. And, the ports can be programmed in many ways as per the need of the programmer. It is used for interfacing purposes for peripheral devices.

 

5. How to connect peripherals to computers?

Ans:- They are significant because they help communicate with computers. It would be tough to share information with our computers without them.

There are a variety of ways to connect peripheral devices with computers. One of them, a widespread interface, is serial advanced technology attachment, also known as SATA or bus. Depending on the number of bits carried by the data path, a bus could be parallel or serial. Among both, the serial connection uses fewer wires than parallel connection and is simpler also. USB(Universal serial bus) is very well-known and familiar among buses.

Key Takeaways

In this article, we have extensively discussed the concepts of Peripheral devices along with their types, examples, and frequently asked questions. 

Recommended Reading: Data Warehouse Architecture

We hope that this blog has helped you enhance your knowledge regarding Peripheral devices and if you would like to learn more, check out our articles on bus-and-memory transfer, Repeater in Computer Network, and Register in Computer etc. Do upvote our blog to help other ninjas grow. 

Happy Coding!

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