I/O, pronounced as “eye-oh” means input/output. It is any operation, device, or program which transfers data from or to a computing system. Therefore, I/O refers to how you transfer data from the system to the user and vice versa.
Printers and keyboards are examples of I/O devices. Meanwhile, input refers to the data you send to a computer system, while output is the data that comes from the system.
Without I/O, you would be unable to interact with the various technological and computing systems. So, by the end of this article, you will understand the meaning of I/O and what it entails.
Table of Contents
Meaning of I/O
I/O, otherwise called input/output refers to any device, program, or operation that sends data to or from a computer. Some typical I/O devices include mouse, keyboards, hard disks, and printers.
Furthermore, input/output devices are essential in computer programming. They streamline how computing devices exchange data across a network.
What is the Purpose of Input/Output in Computing?
The major purpose of input/output in computing is to enable a computer to communicate with the external world. With input and output devices, computers can interact with other systems, receive data from users, and offer them useful data or results. Therefore, input/output promotes the flow of information between computers and their users. Without it, modern computing would differ greatly.
How Does I/O Work on My Computer?
Input/output on your computer works by enabling data to flow between two objects: an input device (like a keyboard) that provides raw information and an output device that shows the results of processing that information.
For instance, the computer processes every input you type into your keyboard. Then, it shows the result on your monitor.
Why Does a Computer Need an Input/Output Device?
A computer will be unable to access and save data without an input/output device. Thus, a computer’s operating system (such as macOS or Windows) is stored on a hard drive and accessed by the computer.
So, if there’s no hard drive, a computer will be unable to access an operating system. Another example is that a computer must use an I/O such as a network card or modem to connect to the internet. Therefore, the computer cannot access the internet without either of them.
What is The Difference Between I/O Input And I/O Output
Input/output devices are user interfaces, networking, storage, or related hardware-enabled services that connect systems or machines. Further, the computer’s OS manages input/output devices through a dedicated subsystem made for managing any attached hardware or device drivers.
Modern computers support various devices such as video and audio drives, mobile hotspots, Bluetooth adapters, USB flash drives, disk drives, modems, display adapters, high-speed printers, and dongles.
However, an I/O input device births an interface between a computer or another information system and end users. Here, the input device transfers commands through a software, hardware component, or human interaction.
Therefore, I/O input allows data to flow from the device to a computer. On the other hand, I/O output is the data signal the output device sends in response to the data input. Thus, data moves from the computer to the output device, where it is extracted and processed. This processing makes sure the data output is shown in a way that users will understand.
What Are The Types of I/O
Input/output can be divided into two, namely soft I/O and hard I/O.
Soft I/O: These are input and output that happen over a network. For instance, when a computer sends files, streams media, or communicates with other computers.
Hard I/O: This is the data transfer that occurs between a physical device (such as a mouse or keyboard) and a computer.
Examples of I/O Output Devices
Below are typical examples of devices that handle I/O output:
- Speakers
- Braille readers
- Projectors
- Cathode-ray tube monitor displays
- Plotters and printers
- Graphics cards
- Liquid crystal display panels
- Headphones
Examples of I/O Input Devices
Below are typical examples of devices that handle I/O input:
- Webcams
- Joysticks
- Analog-to-digital converters
- Touchscreens
- Keyboards
- Barcode readers
- Stylus pens
- Light pens
- Biometric devices
- Sensors
- Computer mouse and trackballs
- Scanners
- Magnetic stripe readers
- Digital cameras
- Magnetic tape drives
- Optical character recognition readers
- Electronic drum kits
- Microphones
I/O Control Methods
A system uses controllers to transmit data between different components of a computer for it to make contact with other computers and external devices. In a computer system, a controller is a program or device that directs or manages the operations of other programs or devices.
Additionally, a computer system contains software- and hardware-based controllers that work as intermediaries between I/O devices. Meanwhile, control methods are of four types.
1. Direct Memory Access (DMA)
This happens when the processor initiates the data transfer and the DMA controller supersedes to complete it. However, this control method is faster than interrupt-driven and programmed I/O. Again, it is more efficient since it involves a minimal processor.
2. Programmed I/O
In programmed input/output, the processor performs a program instruction for all input/output data exchange. However, this is the slowest but easiest control method.
3. Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC)
Here, when the processor gets notified that a device is ready for data transfer, it transmits a signal to the APIC. Then, the APIC sends an interrupt to the processor for it to perform the program. Meanwhile, this control method is the fastest of all four. However, it is the most complicated when it comes to programming.
4. Interrupt-driven I/O
When an input/output device needs to transfer data, it interrupts a processor. The processor will stop its usual processing to perform the device’s instructions. Afterward, it will resume the usual processing.
In this scenario, a processor, otherwise called a CPU, interprets and carries out instructions it receives from a computer program. These processors are devices you can find in a computer system. They process input data and perform calculations.
Additionally, they serve as the brain of the computer and supply the required computing power for a system to handle the frequent instructions it receives. This control method is faster compared to programmed input/output. However, it is more complex to program.
Conclusion
The bottom line? Think of the I/O like talking to a friend. You use your voice (input), and they listen and answer (output). The same applies to computers. However, it’s just a bit more high-tech. We tap, click, speak, and scan (which is equivalent to input), and our computers fire back with screens, sounds, and printed stuff (output).
FAQs
Peripheral equipments are known as input and output devices that connects computer to different things to add functionality. Examples are mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.
The Input Output Processor is a specialized processor which loads and stores data into memory along with the execution of I/O instructions.
The correct answer is Touch Screen. Computer Input and Output Devices: The functioning of a computer system is based on the combined usage of both input and output devices.
I/O cards function as a bridge between a computer and an outside device.