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Input Devices
Input devices help give instructions and feed data into a computer. They allow you communicate
with computer and operate the computer. Some of the examples of input devices:
Keyboard: It is the main input device used with
computers. It allows you to type letters, numbers,
and symbols, which the computer can then
process. When you press a key on the keyboard,
the computer receives this input and shows the
corresponding character on the screen. The keyboard has different keys, which are as follows:
a. Alphabet Keys: Used to type letters (A-Z or a-z).
b. Number Keys: Used to type numbers (0-9).
c. Enter Key: Used to start a new line or execute a command.
d. Spacebar: Used to insert spaces between words.
e. Arrow Keys: Used to move the cursor around on the screen.
Mouse: It is a pointing device used to interact with the items on a computer
screen. It helps you select, click, and move things around on the screen, making
it easier to control the computer. When you move the mouse on a flat surface, a
slanted arrow moves on the screen in the same direction. This is called the mouse
pointer.
Following types of mouse clicks can be done:
a. Left-click: Pressing and releasing the left mouse button once quickly is called the
left-click. It is used to select or open an item.
b. Right-click: Pressing and releasing the right mouse button once quickly is called the
right-click. It opens a context menu with more options for the selected item.
c. Double-click: Pressing and releasing the left mouse button twice quickly is called the
double-click.
Light Pen: It is a handheld input device that allows users to interact
with a computer screen by directly pointing at it. It detects the light
emitted from the screen and can be used to draw, write, or select
items on the display.
Touch Screen: It is an input device that allows users to interact with a
computer or device by directly touching the screen by fingers. Instead of
using a keyboard or mouse, you can simply touch icons, buttons, or menus
on the screen to give commands, enter data, or navigate through the system.
Smartphones, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and tablets use touch screens.
Microphone: It is an input device that captures sound and converts it into
digital data that a computer can process. It allows users to input voice or
other sounds into the computer and converts them into digital form that
can be stored, processed, or transmitted. In virtual assistants like Siri or
Google Assistant, microphones capture your voice so the assistant can
understand and respond to your commands.
Fundamentals of Computer 13

