What is an input device

In this article I am going to explain what is an input device, what are the examples of input devices and what are their functions in detail so that you have clear understanding about it.

What is an input device

The device which is used to enter data and instruction into a computer is called an input device. It helps to accept data and instructions from the user to feed into a computer system.

Examples of input device

The various examples of input devices are

• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Scanner
• Microphone
• Trackball
• Joystick
• Light pen
• Touchscreen
• Barcode Reader
• Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)
• Optical Character Reader (OCR) etc.

Following are the images of some of the most commonly used input devices

Keyboard

Keyboard is one of the most commonly used input devices. It is a typing device. We type on it to enter data into a computer.

There are various types of keys available on a keyboard to enter data such as Alphabet keys, Number keys, Control keys, Command keys, Function keys, Navigation keys, Punctuation keys etc.

Alphabet keys are used to enter alphabets. Alphabet keys have alphabet from a to z.

Number keys are used to enter numbers. Number keys have numbers from 0 to 9.

Special keys are used to control various operation in a computer such as Shift key, Caps Lock key, Alt keys, Ctrl keys, Num Lock key,

We use Command keys to give command to a computer. The various command keys are insert key, delete key, enter key, pg up key. pg down key

Function keys are used to perform some special tasks. Sometimes it is used with other keys to perform a task in a computer. Function keys are from f1 to f12.

Navigation keys are used to move the cursor in different directions in a computer screen. The various Navigation keys are left arrow key, right arrow key, up arrow key and down arrow key.

we use Punctuation keys to insert punctuation mark in a file such as , . ? ; : ” ‘

Following is the image of a Keyboard showing the various types of keys available on it.

Mouse

Mouse is a pointing device. It is used to point an object on a computer screen. We select an object on a computer screen by clicking on a Mouse.

Scanner

Scanner is another most commonly used input device. We use Scanner to scan documents either text documents or images.