Input Device

Input Devices

          These devices are used to input data and program to the computer. These are the parts of computer through which data or instructions are given to computer for processing purpose. Some of the popular input devices are:

1.    keyboard

A keyboard is the primary input device through which data or instructions are entered into the computer. Most keyboards use a QWERTY layout. The layout is called QWERTY because such keyboard has those keys as the first six letters on the top of alphabetic line of keyboard. The most commonly used keyboard is 101 key keyboard developed by IBM. Nowadays there are enhanced or extended keyboards with at least 103 keys.

2.    Mouse

A mouse is a small input device which is used for pointing or drawing. It is connected to the computer by a small cable. As we move the mouse across the flat surface, the mouse pointer or cursor moves across the screen. Once the mouse pointer is in the desired location, we can press the mouse buttons to perform some operation.

A mouse is one of the most important and popular input devices for graphical user interface such as Apple/Macintosh and windows in which we can perform various complex operations with simple mouse clicks.

3.    Digital Camera

A digital camera can be used to input images into the computer. It takes a still photograph, stores it and then sends that photo or image as digital input to the computer. The computer stores those images in the form of digital files.

4.    Joystick

A joystick is pointing devices, used mostly for playing games on a computer. The joystick has a rectangular plastic base which is attached to a vertical stem. Control buttons are located on the base or to the top of stem. The stem can be moved to all directions to control the movement of an object on the screen depending on the type of application software being used.