Input devices of computer system

Different components attached to a computer system are actually making it an applicable and advantageous machine. These computer components include input devices, output devices and storage devices like hard disk. Although data processing is performed by the CPU but these computer components are also mandatory for a computer system to perform appropriately.

Input devices of computer system

Among computer components, input devices are the most vital as these devices make a computer system consumable and accessible to the data that a user want to enter in order to obtain the requested output. Briefly, we can say: "The devices that are used to obtain the data from a user are input devices of computer system. This data is then processed by the processor to provide the desired output to the user". Computer cannot access the data from a user if these input devices are not attached to our computers.

Types of input devices

The data that is to be entered by a user might be in different forms i.e. this data can be in the form of text or it can be an image or graphic. Sometimes computer wants data to be entered in audio or video format. For entering the respective data into the computer, a user needs a particular input device so that data is transferred successfully to a computer and necessary working can be performed on corresponding data and information. Different types of input devices are attached to a computer system that can receive the data from a user at different rates and in peculiar formats. Some most successively utilized Input devices of computer system are:

1. Keyboard

Keyboard is one of the most consistently used input devices. Almost all computers have an attached keyboard as most of the data and information that a computer need to get from the user is entered from the keyboard. The buttons on a keyboard are called keys. A standard keyboard contains over 100 keys. The most widely used keyboard is QWERTY keyboard.

For those who want to know some more facts about keyboards: Don't miss reading "Different types of computer keyboards and keys"

2. Mouse

Mouse is a popular input device that is used to point out various icons on the computer screen. A small arrow appears on the screen which can be controlled by moving the mouse on a flat surface. We can provide several instructions to a computer system by clicking the icons on the screen. A mouse consists of two buttons and a wheel which can be rolled upward and downward to scroll the screen. With the help of a usb port, we can connect a mouse to our computer system. Wireless mouse are also available that do not need any physical wire to connect to the computer system.

Get to explore more here: Types of Computer Mouse and its use

3. Trackball

We can assume trackball to be an alternative of a mouse. Not only does it look similar to the mouse but it also has the identical function a mouse can perform i.e. pointing and clicking the icons on the computer screen. Like a mouse, trackball also possesses two buttons. However, we can differentiate these two devices by the way these two devices are manually handled i.e. a mouse is to be moved on the flat surface to move the pointer on computer screen whereas a trackball cannot be moved as a whole. Instead there exists a “rotating ball” on its top which is rotated to control the pointer movement on the screen.

4. Pen input

Latest touch screen mobile phones use this type of input device to get the data from the user. Users point out or click various icons on the mobile screen with the help of this pen like device. Pen input device can also be used for operating a tablet PC. The devices that are commonly used for pen input are stylus and digital pen. Generally, pen input is used by graphic designers to draw different sketches on computer screen.

5. Joystick

These type of input devices of computer system are specifically designed for gaming purposes. Joystick is composed of a base and a stick. The stick is handled by the user to move the object around the screen. Functionally it is considered less comfortable as compared to a mouse or trackball.

6. Microphone

It’s not necessary that the data computer wants to be entered must be in text form. Sometimes, data can be in audio format i.e. the computer wants user to enter his voice as input. Such data format cannot be entered using a mouse or keyboard instead there needs an input device that can transfer user's voice to computer. Microphone is one of the input devices of computer system that can send the audio input to the computer system successfully. The sound waves entered by the user through a microphone are converted into digital form. This data might be processed by the computer to provide concerning output through speakers.

7. Webcams

Video input can also be entered into the computer using a webcam. Users can have live video chats and make phone calls all around the world and can also send live images and video attachments through email with the help of this particular input device. Usually, webcams are placed on the top of monitor of desktop computers whereas laptop computers possess their own webcams.

8. Scanner

One of the most advantageous input devices is an optical scanner which is basically used to scan the data and information from a source to enter into the computer for further processing. Mainly, a scanning device reads the data from the provided source and then converts it into a form that can be processed by a computer system to convey effective results. This source can be a document, a price tag, a graphic image or a photograph.

9. Bar code reader

Working of a bar code reader is somehow similar to that of a scanner i.e. using these types of input devices of computer system, we can scan the data and information as a scanner can do. However, bar code reader is restricted to scan bar codes only. A bar code that we usually find on products and different manufactured items consists of vertical lines and spaces of different width that identifies a particular item as well as its manufacturer information.