Data generated by a computer is referred to as output. This includes data produced at a software level, such as the result of a calculation, or at a physical level, such as a printed document. A basic example of software output is a calculator program that produces the result of a mathematical operation. A more complex example is the results produced by a search engine, which compares keywords to millions of pages in its Web page index.
Devices that produce physical output from the computer are creatively called output devices. The most commonly used output device is the computer''s monitor, which displays data on a screen. Devices such as the printer and computer speakers are some other common output devices.
The opposite of output is input, which is data that is entered into the computer. Input and output devices are collectively referred to as I/O devices.
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Drives such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), floppy diskette drive, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive are considered storage devices.
An output device does not send anything back to the computer. So, in the case of the monitor, a computer sends a signal without knowing if it was received. If an output device sends information back to the computer, it''s considered an input/output device.
I/O (input/output), pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program or device that transfers data to or from a computer. Common I/O devices include printers, hard disks, keyboards and mice.
Input/output devices play a crucial role in computer programming by streamlining how computing devices communicate across a network.
In computer architecture, I/O encompasses a range of tasks that must be executed properly to support sharing data among discrete machines. All types of data movement within a system rely on I/O operations, including audio files, software instruction sets, text and video streams.
Input/output signals carry instructions that a computer''s central processing unit (CPU) must execute to initiate data transfer. The input can come from hardware, software or human interaction.
I/O input signals shuttle data from a CPU, storage controller or memory to a storage device. I/O output signals flow from a computer to an output device.
Some I/O devices are input-only devices, meaning they send data but do not receive data; output-only devices do the opposite, receiving input but not able to send data to other machines. Some I/O devices receive input, process the data and produce output.
I/O devices are categorized generally as storage, network communications, user interface or related hardware services that use discrete systems to interface with a computer. To communicate, devices use parallel or serial I/O ports, or an over-the-air signal.
Input/output falls into two categories: hard I/O and soft I/O. Hard I/O refers to a straightforward transfer of data that occurs between a computer and an external physical device, such as a keyboard or a mouse. Soft I/O occurs when data is transferred between computers or servers over a network, such as streaming media or file sharing.
I/O operations are calculated based on the number of operations that occur per second, also known as IOPS, or as a measure of transfer speed. I/O performance is affected by the capabilities of the equipment within a computer, including drives, graphics cards and network gear.
Modern computing systems are often built with an I/O processor situated between the system bus and attached peripherals. I/O processors are specifically equipped to handle the operations associated with data transfer.
To facilitate communication between I/O devices and processors, an I/O interface identifies all addresses generated by the CPU. Controllers are tasked with making sure data is transmitted to the computer''s assortment of components. Various control methods are used, including the following:
I/O devices are categorized as storage, networking, user interface or related hardware-enabled services that connect discrete machines or systems.
Management of I/O devices is handled by the computer''s OS via a dedicated subsystem designed to manage device drivers or any attached hardware. Modern computers support a range of devices, including audio and video drives, Bluetooth adapters, disk drives, display adapters, dongles, high-speed printers, modems, USB flash drives and mobile hotspots.
An I/O input device creates an interface between end users and a computer or another information system. The input device sends commands via a hardware component, software or human interaction. In I/O input, data flows from the device to a computer.
I/O output operations refer to data signals sent by the output device in response to the data input. The data flows from the computer to the output device, where it is extracted and processed. The processing ensures the data output is presented in a manner that users will understand.
I/O input-only devices include the following:
Devices that handle only I/O output include the following:
Voice-activated virtual assistants illustrate technologies that handle both input and output of data. When users vocalize search requests, these devices retrieve the requested information and convey the results using natural language processing. The user''s request is the input; the device''s voice response is the output.
Hard disk drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) can be classified as both input and output devices. Data is written to NAND flash-based drive sectors and can also be fetched from the SSD.
Other devices that are able to send and receive data include the following:
Some experts claim that disk and flash drives fall under storage, whereas I/O operations are aligned with network bandwidth. Others argue that disk and flash storage allow data reads and writes, and thus can receive data input and produce data output.
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