The economic computer environment

Importance of peripheral devices in the computer system

The increasing integration of computers into various work processes in different industries is a recent phenomenon. The associated increase in speed, quality and efficiency as well as the increase in productivity are significant. However, the remarkable advances that computers have brought with them would be unthinkable without peripheral devices.

Definition of peripheral devices

In the field of computer and IT terminology, the term ‘peripherals’ is used to refer to external components or hardware that are connected to a computer system to optimise its functionality. Although they do not necessarily contribute to the core functions of the computer such as processing, memory and storage, peripherals are critical to improving the functionality of a computer system.

There are several types of peripherals, including

1. Input devices, which include components that enable users to enter data into the computer system.
   Examples of input devices are keyboards, mice, scanners and microphones.
2. Output devices are components that transmit data to users or other devices.
   Output devices include monitors, printers, speakers and headphones.
3. Input/output devices are also known as I/O devices and are peripheral devices that can both receive and send data. They therefore enable information to be transferred in both directions.
   Examples of input/output devices are modems, network interface controllers (NIC), USB drives and modems.