Input and Output Devices

• What is an Input Device? 

  • A program that has been written for a RISC processor won’t work on a CISC processor and vice versa 
  • A program that has been written for a RISC processor won’t necessarily work on another RISC processor as they may have different instruction sets 
• Input Devices

  
• What is an Output Device? 

  • Output devices are hardware components that receive information from a computer system and present it to the user in a comprehensible form 
  • They enable the computer to communicate the results of processed data or commands
• Output Device

  
• Choosing the right device #1

  When recommending a device for a specific situation, consider the following factors: 

  • User Needs 
  • What tasks will the user be performing? A graphic designer might need a graphics tablet, while a data entry clerk might need a keyboard with a number pad 
  • User Skills 
  • Is the user comfortable with the device? A touch screen might be more intuitive for some users, while others might prefer a mouse and keyboard 
• Choosing the right device #2

  • Environment 
  • Where will the device be used? A wireless mouse might be suitable for a clutter-free office, while a wired mouse might be better for a public computer lab to prevent theft 
  • Cost 
  • Higher-end devices often have more features but are also more expensive. Consider the budget and whether the extra features are worth the cost 
• Secondary Storage Devices 

  • Storage devices are hardware components that retain digital data within a computer system 
  • They provide a means of storing, accessing, and retrieving data, which can include software applications, documents, images, videos, and more 
  • There are 3 types of storage: 
  • Magnetic 
  • Optical 
  • Flash 
• Secondary Storage Devices

  
• Secondary Storage examples

  
• Choosing the right storage device #1

  When recommending a storage device for a specific situation, consider the following factors: 

  • Storage Needs 
  • How much data does the user need to store? A user with large amounts of data might need a high-capacity HDD, while a user who only needs to store a few documents might be fine with a USB flash drive 
  • Performance Needs 
  • Does the user need fast access to their data? An SSD might be best for tasks that require high-speed data access, like video editing or gaming 
• Choosing the right storage device

  • Portability 
  • Does the user need to transport the data? USB flash drives and external HDDs or SSDs are portable and can be used to transfer data between different computers 
  • Cost 
  • Higher-capacity and faster storage devices are generally more expensive. Consider the user's budget and whether their storage and performance needs justify the extra cost 
• What is virtual storage? 

  • Virtual storage, also known as cloud storage, refers to a model of data storage where digital data is stored across multiple servers and locations, typically hosted by third parties e.g. Microsoft, Google, Apple 
  • While the storage may appear to be local from the user's perspective, the data is physically located elsewhere, often distributed across a network of servers 
• Why is there a need for virtual storage? 

  • In the digital age, the amount of data generated and used by businesses and individuals is growing exponentially 
  • Storing all this data on local devices can be impractical due to limitations in storage capacity and the risk of data loss 
  • Virtual storage provides a solution to these challenges by offering scalable, off-site storage with built-in redundancy and backup 
• How does virtual storage work? 

  • When you use virtual storage, your data is transmitted over the internet to a data centre 
  • This data centre uses servers to store your data, which can be accessed and retrieved as needed. These servers are maintained by the cloud storage provider, who ensures that the data is secure, backed up, and available for access 
• Benefits and Limitations of Virtual Storage