CHAPTER # 3

INPUT / OUTPUT DEVICES

Q#1 : Define Input Devices.
Ans : Input Devices :
Input Devices are physical equipments which are used to read or translate data consisting of Alphabets ,
numbers or other symbols into electric impulses which can be later understood by the computer.
Properties Of Input Devices :
The purpose of the input devices is to pass information to the memory unit of the CPU and to convert the
characters , letters , numbers and other symbols into binary patterns which can be held inside the computer
memory for processing.
Examples Of Input Devices :
Keyboard , Mouse , Joystick , Track Ball , Light Pen , Digital Camera , Scanner , Microphone.
Q#2 : Define Output Devices.
Ans : Output Devices :
Output Devices are physical equipments which are used to display the result of processing done by using
CPU of computer. They can generate either soft copy or hard copy output.
Properties Of Output Devices :
The purpose of the output device is to produce the result of the processed data on the screen or paper.
Using the advanced features they can generate graphics , animated graphics , sounds or coloured output on
paper.
Examples Of Output Devices :
Monitor , Speaker , Printer , Plotter and Projectors.
Q#3 : Define Pointing Input Devices.
Ans : Pointing Input Devices.
Devices that are used to move a pointer on the computer screen in order to point to a place on a display
screen and to select one or more actions to be taken from that position.
Examples :
Mouse , track ball , joystick , light pen etc.
Q#4 : Define Joystick and Light Pen.
Ans : Joystick :
It is a pointing input device mostly used for computer or video games but they are also used occasionally for
CAD / CAM systems and other applications.
Working :
Joystick is a vertical handle gripped by hands. The handle is used to move an object on screen in any
direction. It usually has one or more push buttons for shooting , jumping etc. which are also called triggers.
Light Pen :
It is a pointing input device with a photo detector or light source works on a specially designed screen. It is
usually used for designing engineering designs.
Working :
It has a switch and a cord that connects it to computer while some pens also have built in switches that
activates when pressed on the screen. It works like a mouse.
Q#5 : Differentiate between mouse and trackball.
MOUSE
1. Mouse is a primary input device. It is also called
hand held pointing input device.

TRACKBALL
1. A trackball is a also a pointing input device that
looks like an upside down mouse.

2. It is not stationary and requires space to move. It

requires a flat horizontal surface to roll.

2. It functions like a mouse but placed in stationary

position and does not require space to roll on.

3. As the mouse moves the sensor at the bottom

sends impulses to the computer that causes the
pointer to move on the screen.

3. Its sensors are at the top and works when we

move the ball with the hand to move the pointer on
the screen.

4. Mouse buttons are used to select a particular

action from a specified location of pointer.
Nowadays wireless and gaming mouse are available
with more advanced features.

4. There are buttons with track ball that works like a

mouse button to select a particular action from the
position of pointer.

Q#6 : Explain Dual Purpose Devices with example.

Ans : Dual Purpose Devices :
Devices that can perform both input as well as output functions are known as dual purpose devices.
Examples Of Dual Purpose Devices :
(a) Disk Drives.
(b) CD-Writers.
Disk Drive :
Disk drive is a peripheral device that reads data from disk or writes data to the disk and store it as
information like hard disk , floppy disk , flash drive etc. They are also called Storage Devices because they
store information on portable or permanent disks.
Dual Functionality :
When the disk drive is used to read some data from a disk it performs input function. When the disk drive is
used to write some data to the disk and store it this is called output function.
CD - Writer:
A CD Writer is a device which can read or write on a compact disk ( CD ). CD-RW discs may be written ,
erased and rewritten while CD-R discs may be written only once. CD-Writers performance is measured in
X units . 1X = 150 kilobytes / second.
Dual Functionality :
When the CD-Writer is used to read some data from a CD it performs input function. When the CD-Writer is
used to write some data to the CD and store it this is called output function.
Q#7 : Define Keyboard in detail.
Ans : Keyboard.
Keyboard is a primary text input device. It comprises of a set of keys similar to a typewriter with addition of
few extra keys for commands and additional numeric keypad. The standard arrangement of alphabetic keys is
known as the QWERTY.

Working Of a Keyboard :
Each key send an electrical signal to the microprocessor. A standard keyboard includes about 100 keys and
each key sends a different signal to CPU.
Classification Of Keys On a Keyboard :
1. Alphanumeric Keypad :
This keypad consists of numbers , alphabets and special characters like typewriter along with some special
keys like ; Back space to delete a character , Caps lock to write capitals and enter key to run commands or
go to next line.
2. Numeric Keypad :
It includes keys like a simple calculator from 0 9 , four basic operators ( + , - , * , / ) , decimal point and a
Num lock key to activate / deactivate Numeric keys. When deactivated the numeric keys works like cursor
movement keys.

3. Functions Keys :
The top most row of the keyboard with keys marked from F1 F12 are called functional keys. These keys
work as a short cut way to run commands without typing them. Each key has its own specific task.
4. Screen Navigation or Cursor Movement Keys :
Cursor control keys are used to move the cursor around the screen. Most keyboards includes the following
Cursor movement keys.
a. Arrow Keys :
There are four arrow keys left , right , up and down keys. They are used to move the cursor
one place left , right , up and down.
b. Home and End Key :
Home key moves the cursor to the beginning of the line while the End key moves the cursor
to the end.
c. Page Up and Page Down :
These keys are used to make the cursor jump page by page. Page Up key is used to move to
previous page while Page Down key moves the cursor to the next page.
5. Modifier Keys :
These keys are used to modify the input of other keys by holding them while pressing the other key.
Examples are Shift , Alt and Ctrl.
6. Special Keys :
In addition to these keys there are some special feature keys like ;
a. Delete Key : Used to delete a character.
b. Insert Key : Used to insert the text between already typed text without replacing it.
c. Esc Key : Its functions varies from program to program.
d. Print Screen Key : This is used to capture the displayed screen as an image.
Q#8 : Define Scanner and its types.
Ans : Scanner :
Scanner is an input device that reads images or text and converts them into digital signals which can be
directly fed and stored in computer.
Types Of Scanners :
Scanners are classified on the following basis.
(1) Type of input.
(2) Hardware Structure.
Types Of Scanners On The Basis Of Input.
1. Graphical Scanner :
Graphical scanners read photos or other images , digitize them producing bitmapped graphic files to
send into the computer as input.
2. Text Scanner :
Text scanners use optical character recognition software to read pages of text and produce editable
text files.
3. Bar Code Scanner :
Bar code scanners are used in stores to convert bar codes into digital information.
Types Of Scanners On The Basis Of Hardware Structure.
1. Hand Held Scanner :
A scanner that is held in the hand and passed across the image to be scanned is called a hand held
scanner. It is small and inexpensive to use.

2. Flatbed Scanner :
They are similar to photocopiers and has a flat glass surface on which the document is placed to be
scanned. A mechanically operated scanning head moves beneath the glass to scan the document.
3. Sheet Fed Scanner :
It is a scanner that feeds on each sheet of paper across a nonmoving scan head. It cannot be used to
scan pages of books or magazines or pages with pasted items.
Q#9 : What is the difference between soft copy and hard copy of output ?
HARD COPY

SOFT COPY

1. A computer output taken on a paper is called hard 1. A computer output taken on a screen like monitor
copy of output.
or projector is called a soft copy of output.
2. Hard copy is tangible and permanent.

2. Soft copy is intangible and temporary.

3. Devices used for getting hard copy are printers

and plotters.

3. Devices used for getting soft copy are monitors

and projectors.

4. A hard copy of a document is the printed version

of its soft copy.

4. Soft copy is machine readable form of

corresponding hard copy.

Q#10 : Define printers and their types.

Ans : Printers :
A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the information to
paper. In terms of technology utilized the printers are divided into two main categories.
(a) Impact Printers :
They print by striking the ink ribbon against the paper.
They produce much noise and are also called noisy printers.
They can produce text prints but cannot print high quality graphics.
Examples of impact printers are Daisy Wheel , Dot Matrix and Line Printers.
1. Daisy Wheel Printer :
It has a metal wheel on which the shapes of characters are embossed. A hammer presses the wheel
against the ink ribbon to print on paper.
2. Dot - Matrix Printer :
Dot Matrix printers creates characters by striking pins against an ink ribbon. Each pin makes a dot and
combinations of dots form characters and illustrations.
3. Line Printer :
Line printers contains a chain of characters on an entire line. Line printers are very fast but produce low
quality print. Drum and Chain printers are sub classes of Line Printers.
(b) Non - Impact Printers :
They print without striking paper with hammer instead they use technology like magnetic ,
electronic , thermal , chemical , optical , inkjet or laser to give output on paper.
They do not produce much noise and are also called noiseless printers.
They can produce high quality text and graphics output.
Examples of non - impact printers are Laser printer , inkjet printer , Thermal printer , LCD & LED
printer.
1. Ink Jet Printer :
Ink Jet printers sprays inks on sheet of paper. They produce high quality text and graphics.

2. Laser Printer :
Laser printer works like a photocopier machine and produce high quality text and graphics.
3. LCD & LED Printer :
These printers uses either liquid crystal display or light emitting diodes to produce an image on the
drum.
4. Thermal Printer :
Thermal printer works by pushing heated pins against heat sensitive paper.
Q#11 : Define Plotters and their types.
Ans : Plotters :
Plotter is a special kind of output device that prints graphics on papers which includes drawing , graphs ,
making maps , plotting engineering drawings and machine components.
Difference Between Plotters and Printers :
Plotters can print accurate & continuous lines using a pen while printers stimulate lines by printing a closely
spaced series of dots. Multi colour plotters use different coloured pens to draw different coloured lines.
Plotters are more expensive than a printer and used in engineering applications where precision is
mandatory.
Types Of Plotters :
Plotters are basically of two types :
(1) Pen Plotters.
(2) Electrostatic Plotters.
(1) Pen Plotters :
They use computer controlled ink pen to draw the images. They are of two types ;
(a) Drum Plotter.
(b) Flatbed Plotter.
(a) Drum Plotter :
In drum plotter the pen move in a single axis track and the paper itself move on a cylindrical drum to add
the other axis. The size of the graph is limited in its width but could be of any length.
(b) Flatbed Plotter :
In flatbed plotters the paper is fixed on a flat surface and pens move to draw the image. The size of the plot
is limited to the size of the plotters bed.
(2) Electrostatic Plotters :
Drum plotter prints by charging the paper with high voltage which attracts toner and melts it to produce
image. This plotter is faster from pen plotter but the quality is poor.
Q#12 : Define Monitor and its types.
Ans : Monitor :
A monitor is a TV like output device used to display soft copy output. It can display text and high resolution
graphics generated by a computer.
Types Of Monitors On the Basis Of Technology :
Monitors are basically of two types according to technology.
(a) CRT Monitors
(b) Flat Panel Display Monitors.
CRT - Monitor :
It is similar to a television and works with the help of a large vacuum tube called CRT tube.
Flat Panel Display :

It is a slim and smart display unit which uses LCD ( Liquid Crystal Display )and LED ( Light Emitting Diode
)technology to display high quality output.
Types Of Monitors On the Basis Of Colours :
In terms of colours monitors are classified into the following three categories.
(a) Monochrome
(b) Gray Scale
(c) Colour.
(a) Monochrome Monitor :
Monochrome Monitors can display only two colours one for foreground and one for background. The
colours can be black & white , green and black or amber & black.
(b) Gray Scale Monitor :
A gray scale monitor is a special type of monochrome monitor that can display different shades of gray.
(c) Colour Monitor :
Colour monitors can display colours from 16 to over 1 million different colours. They are also called RGB
monitors because they accept three separate colour signals ( Red , Green , Blue ).
Q#13 : What factors determine the quality of monitor output ?
Ans : Factors That Determine the Quality Of Monitor.
Resolution :
It shows how densely the pixels are packed. Higher the resolution the sharpest is the image.
Bandwidth :
It represents the range of signal frequencies the monitor can handle and process and therefore how fast it
can refresh at higher resolutions.
Refresh Rate :
It shows how many times per second the screen is refreshed ( redrawn ). To avoid flickering , the refresh
rate should be at least 72 Hz.
Dot pitch :
It is the amount of space between each pixel. The smaller the dot pitch the more clear image will form.
Convergence :
The clarity and sharpness of each pixel is called convergence.