Computer Hardware, Data Entry, and Computer Generations

, and the five computer generations.

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Output Device

Hardware that receives processed information from the computer and presents it in a form the user can see, hear, or use.

Manual Input Devices

A category of input devices where the user enters or moves the data into the computer themselves.

Direct Data Entry (DDE) Devices

Devices that read data automatically from a document, card, barcode, or sensor without typing, used to input large amounts of data quickly.

Keypad

A small block of buttons used for manual input, commonly found on ATMs and phones.

Mechanical Mouse

A type of pointing device that uses a rolling ball underneath to move the pointer on the screen.

Optical Mouse

A type of mouse that uses light to detect movement and move the pointer on the screen.

Cordless Mouse

A wireless mouse that transmits movement signals using infrared or radio waves.

Digitiser

A manual input device that turns drawings and images into digital data, such as a digital camera, webcam, or graphics tablet.

Stylus and Light Pen

Pen-like pointing devices used to interact with screens and tablets.

Remote Control

A device that inputs commands by sending a signal when a button is pressed, commonly used for TVs and electronic gates.

Biometric Systems

Systems that identify an individual person by measuring a part of their body.

Physical Biometrics

Biological traits used in biometric systems that rarely change over time, including fingerprints, face or iris scans, and the size and shape of the hand.

Behavioural Biometrics

Individual characteristics used in biometric systems that can change over time, such as a handwritten signature or voice tone and pitch.

Barcode Reader

A DDE device that reads patterns of black bars representing numbers (identifying country, maker, and item) at checkout systems (EPOS), where prices are stored in the shop's computer.

Magnetic Strip Card

A card that stores data on a magnetic band read by swiping, commonly used for debit, credit, and loyalty cards (EFTPOS).

Smart Card

A card containing an embedded gold chip that holds more data and provides higher security than a magnetic strip card, seen in chip bank cards and SIM cards.

OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)

A direct data entry technology that detects marks made in predetermined positions on a form, used for multiple-choice test sheets and lottery slips.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

A direct data entry technology that converts scanned text into editable text, such as scanning a printed page directly into Microsoft Word.

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)

A technology used to read numbers printed in specialized magnetic ink, primarily used on bank cheques.

Sensors

DDE devices that automatically gather physical data such as heat, light, movement, or wind in systems like weather stations, automatic doors, and burglar alarms.

MIDI

A system that inputs musical data into a computer from a piano-type keyboard or electronic pads.

Turnaround Document

A document printed by a computer, filled in or completed by a person, and then fed back into the computer to be read (for example, a utility bill payment slip).

Plotter

A specialized output device used to produce large architectural drawings, engineering schematics, and maps.

IPO Cycle

The standard sequence followed by all computers: INPUT $\rightarrow$ PROCESS $\rightarrow$ STORAGE $\rightarrow$ OUTPUT.

Generation of Computers

A phase in computer development categorized primarily by significant advancements in the electronic technology used to construct computers.

First Generation Computers (1945–1956)

Computers built using vacuum tubes or valves; they were physically massive, consumed large amounts of electricity, generated heavy heat, and were programmed mainly in machine language.

Second Generation Computers (1956–1963)

Computers built using transistors; they became smaller, faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient, using assembly language instead of long binary codes.

Third Generation Computers (1964–1970)

Computers built using integrated circuits (ICs) or chips; they became smaller, faster, cheaper, and more reliable, while high-level programming languages became common.

Fourth Generation Computers (1971–present)

Computers based on microprocessors and high-density integrated circuits such as LSI and ULSI, becoming far smaller, cheaper, more reliable, and more powerful.

Fifth Generation Computers (present–future)

Computers focused on advanced computing with human-like capabilities, including voice recognition and assisting users with complex tasks.