UNIT 2

Input/Output Devices:Input Device – keyboard, mouse, scanner,

MICR, OMR. Output Devices – VDU, Printers –Dot Matrix,line
printers and page printers. Computer Memory: Memory Concept,
Memory Cell, Memory Organisation, Semiconductor Memory–
RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, Secondary Storage Devices –
Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk-Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, Compact
Disk. Logic Gates:The Inverter, The AND gate, The OR gate, The
NAND gate, NOR gate, The Exclusive–OR gate and Exclusive-NOR
gate.
INPUT DEVICES
 The Input devices are the devices which are used to enter the data in the computer system.

 Keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone are the example of input devices.

An input device is used to feed data into computer .Input device is capable of converting data into a form which
can be recognised by computer .The device used to accept the data and instructions from the user is called input
device.

FUNCTIONS OF INPUT DEVICES:

o Accept the data from the outside worlds.

o Convert that data into computer coded information.

o Supply this data to Central Processing Unit for further processing.

 MICR

 OMR

 Keyboard

 Mouse

 Joystick

 Light pen

 Track ball

 Scanner
1)KEYBOARD.
 Keyboard is most commonly used input device. It is similar like a type writer which is used to enter data in
the computer.

It contains sets of keys such as alphabets, number & special signs. There are two types of keyboard.

o General purpose keyboard

o Special purpose keyboard

GENERAL PURPOSE KEYBOARD:

 Standard keyboard which are used in personal computers.

 It contains enough keys which are used in all types of applications so they are known as general purpose
keyboard.Most popular general purpose keyboard contains 101 keys.The general purpose keyboard are divided
into following parts:

A)ALPHANUMERAIC KEYPAD

 The centred part of the keyboard is known as alphanumeric keypad.

 It contains alphabets, numbers & special signs such as *,!, @, #, $, %,* etc.

B)NUMERAIC KEYPAD

 The right most part of the keyboard is known as numeric keypad.

 It contains 0 to 9 numbers & mathematical signs such as +, *, -, /.

 Mainly used for fast data entry in mathematical applications.

C)ARROW KEYS

 Set of four keys up, down, left & right.

 Used to move the cursor at left & right or up and down on the screen.

 They are referred as “cursor-control” or “cursor-movement” keys.

D)FUNCTION KEYS

 The first line of the keyboard contains a Set of 12 keys with name f1 to f2 are known as function keys.
 Used to generate short-cuts in different software package.

E)SPECIAL KEYS

 There are lots of keys that are used for some specific task describes follows:

 TAB: used for gives multiple spaces or move the cursor to next defined position.

 ENTER: used for generate the output of any command.

 SPACE: used to make one blank space between two words.

 BACKSPACE: used to remove the left-most character at cursor position.

 DELETE: used to remove the right-most character at cursor position.

 HOME: moves the cursor at the beginning of the line.

 END: moves cursor at the end of the line.

 PAGE UP: moves or scroll the screen up or previous page of the current page.

 PAGE DOWN: moves the screen to the next page from the currently displayedpage.

 PRINT SCREEN: used to print what is currently displayed on the screen.

 INSERT: used to enter text between two characters.

 ESC: used to negate current command or terminate the execution of the program.

 ALT: used to expand the functionality of keyboard. Basically used to generate shortcuts in different
application.

 CTRL: used to expand the functionality of keyboard. Basically used to generate shortcuts in different
application.

 NUMLOCK: used to on or off the numeric keypad.

 CAPSLOCK: used to type the all inputted text capitally.

F)SPECIAL PURPOSE KEYBOARD

 Special purpose keyboard is used for special purpose applications which required faster data entry and rapid
interaction with the computer system.

 For example ATM used in banks used special purpose keyboard which contains a few keys.

2)MOUSE
 Mouse is Small hand-hold device Input device which is generally used for drawing purpose.

 It’s a Pointing device.It contains two or three buttons.Left button is used to point out or select any item by
clicking. Right to generate context menu.

 When user moves mouse across flat surface, the graphic cursor moves on screen. Graphic cursor contains
verity of symbols such as arrow, wrist, pointing finger etc. Depending on application text & graphic cursors are
changed.

The following 5 techniques are used to carry out various operations:

 POINT: To move the mouse on top of icon

 C LICK: To press & release the left button of mouse at once.

o Used to open any currently selected icon, menu.

  DOUBLE CLICK: To press & release the left button of mouse twice.

o Used to open any application or program.

 SIMULTANEOUS-CLICK:

o Press & release left & right button to gather.

O Used in some software package to added some functionality.

 DRAG:

o Press the left button down & moved the mouse on screen.

o Used to move the graphics on screen.

 Many types of mouse are available such as mechanical mouse, optical mouse, serial mouse, wireless mouse
which are used for different purpose.

Trackball Mouse:

It is a stationary input device that has ball mechanism to move the pointer or cursor on the screen.

The ball is half inserted in the device and can be easily rolled with finger, thumb or the palm to move the pointer
on the screen.

The device has sensor to detect the rotation of ball.

Mechanical Mouse:

It has a system of a ball and several rollers to track its movement.

It is a corded type of mouse.

Optical Mouse:

An optical mouse uses optical electronics to track its movement. It is more reliable than a mechanical mouse and
also requires less maintenance.

Cordless or Wireless Mouse:

As the name suggests, this type of mouse lacks cable and uses wireless technology such as IrDA (infrared) or
radio (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) to control the movement of the cursor.

3)SCANNER
A computer scanner is a digitizer, a type of input device. It takes real-world objects (e.g., a document or picture)
and converts them to digital information for a computer to store or manipulate. A scanner only sends
information to the computer and cannot receive information from the computer like a printer (an output device).

4)OPTICAL MARKER READER

OMR is a device that is capable of recognised pre-specified type of mark made by pencil or pen.The Optical
Mark Reader is a device which can detect the presence or absence of a mark on a paper.

The OMR recognise the marks by focusing a light on the paper being scanned & detect the reflected light
pattern from mark. The present mark is detected due to intensity of light being reflected from the mark. Pencil
marks made with soft lead pencil reflect the light which allowing the OMR to determine which response are
mark.

 OMR is used in reading answers sheets, questionnaires.

ADVANTAGES

 Speedy and accurate to generate result.

 Cheap in cost.

DISADVANTAGE

 Cannot able to read characters.

 Erasing or cancellation is not possible.

 Good quality expensive paper is required.

5)MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER RECOGNITION

Magnetic ink character recognition is the string of characters at the bottom left of a personal check that includes
the account, routing, and check numbers.

MICR numbers are designed to be readable by both individuals and sorting equipment.

They can't be faked or copied, due to the use of magnetic ink and unique fonts.

The benefits of the technology include enhanced security against fraud and mechanization of check processing.

OUTPUT DEVICE

The output devices are the devices which are used to display the result

generated by the computer system.

 Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker are the example of output devices.

FUNCTIONS OF OUTPUT DEVICES:

o Accept the result from the CPU.

o Convert that result into human readable form.

o Supply this result to output device.

Example: Monitor

Printer

Television

Speakers

1)VDU(Visual Display Unit)

• Monitors,commonly called as visual display unit(VDU),are the main output device of a computer.

• It forms images from tiny dots,called pixels,that are arranged in a rectangular form.

• The sharpeness of the depends upon the number of pixels.

• There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.

• Cathode-ray tube (CRT)

 • Flat-Panel Display

• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

• The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels.

• The smaller the pixel,the better the image clarity,or resolution.

• It takes more than one illuminated pixel to form whole character.

• A finite number of characters can be displayed on screen at once.

• The screen can be divided into a series of character boxes-fixed location on the screen where a standard
character can be placed

• Most screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25 lines vertically.

• Disadvantages of CRT

• Larger in size.

• High power consumption

Flat panel display

• It refers to a class of a video devices that have reduced volume,weight and power requirement in
comparison to the CRT.

• You can hang them on walls or wear them on your wrists.

• Uses of flat panel display includes calculators ,video ,games ,monitors, laptop,computer ,graphics
display.

• Divided into two categories.

a)Emissive Display

b)Non Emissive display

a)Emissive Display:

 These are devices that convert electrical energy into light.eg:plasma panel,LED

b)Non Emissive display:

 It use optical effects to convert sunlight or light from source other source into graphics
patterns,eg:LCD

2)PRINTER

 The printer is a most commonly used output device.

 It is used to producing the hard copy output.

 It prints characters, symbols & graphics on the paper.

 Printer can be categorised according to the technology used in printer, speed, and approach of printing,
colours, language & the quality of printing.

 Mainly printer can be classified in two types:

o Impact printer

o Non impact printer

A) Impact printer

 Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon ,which is then pressed on the paper.

 When a key or pen strikes the ribbon,it transfers ink into the paper creating letter or symbol

 It works on the same mechanism of type-writer.

 It forms a character or image by striking mechanism such as hammer or wheel

 against to ink ribbon, leaving an image on paper.

 It is oldest technology and still is in used.

 It can capable to print single character or line at the same time.

 Commonly types of impact printers are

1)character printers

2)line printers

CHARACTERISTICS

 very low consumable costs.

 very noisy

 useful for bulk printing due to low cost

 there is a physical contact with the paper to produce an image.

 Very slow in printing

 Low quality print out

 Stand with dusty or extreme environment

CHARACTER PRINETR

Character printers are the printers which print one character at a time.

 Classified into

a)Dot matrix printer

b)Daisy wheel

Dot matrix printer:

  Character printer.
  Capable to print single character at the same time.
  Forms characters & images as a pattern of dots.
  Contains a print head which moves horizontally across paper.
  Uses 5 × 7 matrix to form a character.
  Print by hammering the pins on inked ribbon to leave ink impressions on the
 paper.
  Able to print 30 to 600 characters per second.
  ADVANTAGES:
 o Low cost & easily available.
 o Cheap in cost.
 o Can make carbon copy of print out.
  o Low maintenance cost.
 o Work with any type of environment.
 DISADVANTAGES:
 o Slow in speed.
 o Very noisy.
 o Cannot work perfectly in graphics.
DAISY WHEEL PRINTER:
  Character printer.
  Able to print a single character at the same time.
  Contain a metal wheel on which the characters & numbers are raised on the each
 petal.
  The wheel is rotated very fast when the desired characters arrives at correct
 position a print hammer strike to produce output.
  Different type of font face can be used by replacing the daisy wheel.
  Able to print bold letter by striking on specific characters twice or thrice.
 Capable to print 10 to 50 characters per second.
 ADVANTAGES:
 o Low cost.
 o Can make carbon copy of print out.
 o Low maintenance cost.
 o Printing quality is similar to a type writer.
 o Able to print bold characters.
 o Allows using different font-face in same document.
 DISADVANTAGES:
 o Very slow in speed.
 o Very noisy.
 o Cannot print graphics.
LINE PRINTER

Line printers are the printers which print one line at a time instead of one or more characters at a time.

 Print quality of line printer is not high.

 They are of two types:
a)Drum printer

b)Chain printer

DRUM PRINTER:
 It’s a line printer.
 Able to print a line at the same time.
 Consist of a solid cylindrical drum with characters embossed on it in circular
band.
 Each band consists of character set which contains 96 characters.
 Drum rotates fastly when desired characters arrives an appropriate hammer
stike on ribbon & character is print on paper.
 Capable to print 300 to 2000 lines per minute.
ADVANTAGES:
o Low cost than non impact printer.
o Can make carbon copy of print out.
o Low maintenance cost.
o Faster than other impact printer.
o Printing quality is similar to a type writer.
DISADVANTAGES:
o Very slow in speed.
 o Very noisy.
 o Large & heavy.
  o Cannot print graphics.
 o Only prints predefined set of characters.
 CHAIN PRINTER:
 It’s a line printer.

 Able to print a line at the same time.

 Consist of a metallic chain on which all characters of character set are embossed.
 Character set contains 48, 64 or 96 characters.
 Characters are embossed several times.
 Chain rotates at high speed when the desired characters in correct position the
hammer strikes & the characters are print on paper.
 Capable to print 400 to 2500 lines per minutes.
 ADVANTAGES:
o Low cost than non impact printer.
o Can make carbon copy of print out.
o Chain can be easily changed.
Allowed to print different type font.
o Printing quality is similar to a type writer.
DISADVANTAGES:
o Slower than non impact printer.
o Very noisy.
o Large & heavy.
o Cannot print graphics.
o Only prints predefined set of characters.

Non-Impact Printers

Characters are printed without the need for a ribbon in non-impact printers. Because these printers print a full
page at a time, they’re also known as Page Printers. The following are the characteristics of non-impact printers:

 Faster

 They don’t make a lot of noise.

 Excellent quality

 Supports a variety of typefaces and character sizes

Laser Printers

Laser Printers use laser lights for producing dots which will produce characters on the page.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are printers that use spray technology for printing papers. High-quality papers are produced in an
Inkjet printer. They also do color printing.

18. What is a computer memory?

Computer memory is just like the human brain. It is used to store data/information and instructions. It is a data
storage unit or a data storage device where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are
stored. It can store both the input and output can be stored here.

19. What is a cache memory?

It is a type of high-speed semiconductor memory that can help the CPU run faster. Between the CPU and the
main memory, it serves as a buffer. It is used to store the data and programs that the CPU uses the most
frequently.

20. What is primary memory? Give example.

It is also known as the main memory of the computer system. It is used to store data and programs or
instructions during computer operations. It uses semiconductor technology and hence is commonly called
semiconductor memory. Primary memory is of two types:

RAM (Random Access Memory)

ROM (Read Only Memory)

22. Write a note on primary memory?

RAM. The term is based on the fact that any storage location can be accessed directly by the processor.

Dynamic RAM. DRAM is a type of semiconductor memory that is typically used by the data or program code
needed by a computer processor to function.

Static RAM. SRAM retains data bits in its memory for as long as power is supplied to it. Unlike DRAM, which
stores bits in cells consisting of a capacitor and a transistor, SRAM does not have to be periodically

refreshed.

 D RAM (Dynamic RAM): D RAM uses capacitors and transistors and stores the data as a charge on the
capacitors. They contain thousands of memory cells. It needs refreshing of charge on capacitor

after a few milliseconds. This memory is slower than S RAM.

ROM (Read Only Memory): It is a non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory stores information even when
there is a power supply failed/ interrupted/stopped. ROM is used to store information that is used to

operate the system. As its name refers to read-only memory, we can only read the programs and data that is
stored on it.

 PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory): This read-only memory is modifiable once by the user. The
user purchases a blank PROM and uses a PROM program to put the required contents into the PROM. Its
content can’t be erased once written.

 EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only

Memory): EPROM is an extension to PROM where you can erase the content of ROM by exposing it to
Ultraviolet rays for nearly 40 minutes.

 EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only

Memory): Here the written contents can be erased electrically. You can delete and reprogramme EEPROM up
to 10,000 times.
What is secondary memory? Give example.

It is also known as auxiliary memory and backup memory. It is a nonvolatile memory and used to store a large
amount of data or information.The data or information stored in secondary memory is permanent, and it

is slower than primary memory. A CPU cannot access secondary memory directly. The data/information from
the auxiliary memory is first transferred to the main memory, and then the CPU can access it.

Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk

Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, Compact Disk.

Hard Disk: A hard disk is a part of a unit called a hard disk drive. It is used to storing a large amount of data.
Hard disks or hard disk drives come in different storage capacities.(like 256 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2

TB, etc.).

Floppy Disk: A floppy disk consists of a magnetic disc in a square plastic case. It is used to store data and to
transfer data from one device to another device. Floppy disks are available in two sizes (a) Size: 3.5 inches, the

Storage capacity of 1.44 MB (b) Size: 5.25 inches, the Storage capacity of 1.2 MB. To use a floppy disk, our
computer needs to have a floppy disk drive. This storage device becomes obsolete now and has been replaced

by CDs, DVDs, and flash drives.

Compact Disc: A Compact Disc (CD) is a commonly used secondary storage device. It contains tracks and
sectors on its surface. Its shape is circular and is made up of polycarbonate plastic. The storage capacity of

CD is up to 700 MB of data.