An input device is a hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing the user to interact with and control it. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, joysticks, microphones, and more. Input devices can be categorized based on the modality of input (e.g., mechanical motion, audio, visual, etc.) and whether the input is discrete (e.g., pressing a key) or continuous (e.g., a mouses position) .
The various input devices translate the data into electrical impulses, which are then transmitted to the computer for processing and storage in central or internal memory. Input devices are essential because they allow the user to use the computer and interact with it. Without input devices, a computer could run by itself, but there would be no way to change its settings, fix errors, or perform other various user interactions.
Some common input devices include:
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Joystick
- Light pen
- Trackball
- Scanner
- Graphic tablet
- Microphone
- Magnetic ink card reader (MICR)
- Optical character reader (OCR)
- Barcode reader
- Optical mark reader (OMR)
