INPUT DEVICES

In the input-process-output cycle, input for the process should be provided through a device. Devices  used to provide data and instructions  to the computer are called input devices.Some important computer input devices are listed below.·       Mouse
·       Keyboard
·       Scanner
·       Miccrphone
·       Web camera
 MouseA mouse is used to point to and select options displayed on the monitor. It is usually connected to the system unit ny means of a long wire.although wireless mouse devices are also increasingly available. A mouse may have two or three buttons. The left button is the most frequently used button. Newer mouse devices called scroll mouse or wheel mouse come with a wheel between theleft and right buttons. This wheel enables you to smoothly scroll through screens of information. Optical mouse is another advanced pointing device that ises a light emitting component instead of the mouse ball. It detects movement my sensing changes in the light reflected by the light-emitting component. Nowadays, wireless mouse devices are also available.             When you move theon a flat surface,you will see an arrow moving on the screen correspondingly. This arrow is known as the mouse printerIt is good practice to use a mouse pad instead of just any flat surface. A mouse a small mat with a plastic surface and a rubber or plastic-based cushion on which you can move the mouse. It provides greater traction than smooth surfaces and this makes it easier to move the mouse pointer with greater precision. The mouse ball is likely to glide and not roll on smooth glass or wooden surfaces.KeyboardThe keyboard is used for typing text into the computer.lt is also known as the standard input device. A computer keyboard is similar to that of a typewriter,but it has additional keys as well. The most commonly available computer keyboard has 104 keys.There are different types of keys on the keyboard. The keys are categorized as:§      Alphanumeric keys, including letters and numbers.
§      Punctuation keys, such as the colon (J), the semicolon (;), the question mark (?), single quotes (‘) and double quotes (“)
§      Special Keys, such are, control keys and Function keys  (F1 to F12). There keys have different functions depending on where they are used. For example, the enter key starts a new paragraph in aword processor, but in the command line, it executes a command.
 Function keys are special  keys that are used to perform specific functions. They are labeled as F1 F2 F3 and so on, up to F12. The functionality of the keys differs from software. The function of F1 key in most software is to provide kelp with the software.    Software refers to computer instructions or data that can be stored electronically.ScannerA scanner is used to make an exact copy of a picture or a photograph, For example, if you are a creating a report on an event at your school,you can use scanner to scan photographs or logos and insert them into the report.MicrophoneA microphone is a device used to record sound.Microphones convert sound waves into audio signals.Web CameraA Web Camera is a device capable of converting visuals into digital form. When connected to a computer, iy functions as the eye of the computer. You can use it to take a phototgraph of yourself and store it in the computer or for video conferencing.