COPS000 - B

Input, output, system

unit
summary
Maringka, Rodney Giovanni

An input device sends information to a computer

system for processing, and an output device reproduces or displays the
results of that processing. Depending on the interaction, a device can
be both, referred to as an input/output or I/O device.
For example, as you can see in the top half of the image, a keyboard
sends electrical signals, which are received by the computer (input).
Those signals are then interpreted by the computer and displayed on
the monitor as text (output). In the lower half of the image, the
computer sends data to a printer, which will print the data onto a piece
of paper (output).

More detailed examples

An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive
data from another device. Examples of an input device include a
computer keyboard and mouse, which can send data (input) to the
computer, but they cannot receive or reproduce information (output)
from the computer.
An output device can receive data from another device, but it cannot
send data to another device. Examples of an output device include a
computer monitor, projector, and speakers, which can receive data (output)
from the computer, but they cannot send information (input) to the
computer.
An input/output device can send data to another device and also receive
data from another device. Examples of an input/output include a
computer CD-RW drive and USB flash drive, which can send data (input) to
a computer and also receive data (output) from a computer.

A good example of an I/O device is a Modem that connects to the Internet

and can send and receive information.

System Unit
The system unit, sometimes called the chassis, is a box-like case housing the
electronic components of a computer that are used to process data. System
unit components include the processor, memory module, cards, ports, and connectors.
Many of the system units components reside on a circuit board called the motherboard.
The motherboard contains many different types of chips, or small pieces of
semiconducting material, on which one or more integrated circuits (IC) are etched. An
integrated circuit is a microscopic pathway capable of carrying electronic current. Each
IC can contain millions of transistors, which act as switches for electronic signals.
The primary function of the computer system unit is to hold all the other components
together and protect the sensitive electronic parts from the outside elements. A typical
computer case is also large enough to allow for upgrades, such as adding a second
hard drive or a higher-quality video card. It is relatively easy to open up a computer
system unit to replace parts and install upgrades. In contrast, it is quite difficult to open
up a laptop computer, which is not designed with replacements and upgrades in mind.
In most computer system units, the front side contains the elements a user needs
frequently, such as the power button, an optical disk drive, an audio outlet for a pair of
headphones, and a number of USB connections. The back side contains all other
connections - for power, monitor, keyboard, mouse, Internet connection, and any other
peripheral devices. There are typically more connections than the minimum necessary to
allow for expansion.