A peripheral device, also known as a peripheral, is an auxiliary hardware device used to transfer information into and out of a computer. Peripheral devices are controlled by the computer system they are attached to, but they are not considered its core components. They can be classified into three categories based on their purpose: input devices, output devices, and input/output devices. Examples of peripheral devices include:
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Input devices: These devices send data or instructions to the computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, graphics tablet, image scanner, barcode reader, game controller, light pen, light gun, microphone, and webcam.
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Output devices: These devices receive data from the computer and display or present it to the user, such as a monitor, printer, speaker, and projector.
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Input/output devices: These devices can both send and receive data, such as a modem, network card, and USB flash drive.
Peripheral devices are not essential for the computer to perform its basic tasks, but they enhance the users experience.
