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Input and Output
A computer computes, but I/O does work
By: David K. Every
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2002-03-11 05:57:05
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 computer has a few parts. The CPU is the "Central Processor Unit". This is the part of the computer that actually crunches numbers; moves data around or takes instructions and processes them. When people talk about "the computer" they are often talking about the CPU. But the CPU just executes instructions; that wouldn't have any value at all if it couldn't talk to you or other devices.
I/O stands for input/output. These are all sorts of ports and connectors that usually talk through cables to other devices, or that gathers or conveys information to you. This is actually the most important part of a computer, and the most overlooked.
Your keyboard and mouse are input devices. They allow you to tell the computer things like enter a character or move the cursor (arrow). The screen (display) is an output device; it allow the computer to tell you things, like show you what you just did. Printers are output devices,scanners and digital cameras are input devices to bring in photographs or images. It is this input and output that allows the computer to be valuable to you.
Many people are intimidated by the acronyms and jargon; but most of it is really quite simple. You need to connect two devices, usually with a cable that's designed for that purpose. That cable has connectors at the ends that plug into ports; you just need to match them up properly. Internally, the devices need to not only be able to physically connect to each other but they also need to talk the same language (protocol); think of a telephone, just because you can call anywhere in the world, doesn't mean that you'll be able to understand what they are saying, so you have to agree on the language.
The wide array of connections is what confuses people; but it is actually very common sense. The video cable connects the computer to a monitor. There are often ports for sound input (a microphone) and sound output (speakers). Sometimes there are older connectors (serial ports) for a mouse and keyboard, each with it's own connector; and separate connectors for printers, scanners and other devices (either old style serial or parallel ports). Or there are newer type connectors that are faster and easier to work with; called USB or FireWire, which allow many devices to all talk to each other and the computer through a common connector system.
There is often a modem, which allows your computer to talk to other computers through a phone-line (and you need a place to plug that in). Or if you are lucky, you'll connect up through your network connector to other computers through a cable modem, or directly to the network in an office. And there are a few internal connectors (if you add devices inside your computer) like SCSI or IDE for hard drives and CD-ROMs; or PC-CARD, PCI or AGP for various cards you might need to plug in.
And that is about it. You also have lots of little power cables, because electronics needs power to operate. But I/O isn't that hard. 
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