Output Devices
An output device is an device that is basically used to transmit data to the outside world so we can receive the information and use it accordingly.
Memory
This one is a bit different from the others. Mainly because there are two common types of memory. For example, there are hard drives. This is a component that allows any kind of data to be stored in a PC, from .dll files to pictures, for an amount of time. It can also be called Information Retention.
The other type is RAM, or Random Access Memory. This is mainly used by storing files that can be processed by the CPU.
Backing Storage
Backing storage is a device that can store data for portable use, connecting by USB or FireWire. It can also be called a secondary hard drive. These devices are very useful, because of their portability. For example, if you were at your workplace and wanted to finish something at home, simply plug in your USB Memory Stick and copy your work into it, and then you can finish it at home.
A portable hard drive can also be used to avoid having too much data being stored in the main hard drive, which can make the PC slow and also increases the probability of getting system errors.
Communication Devices
This is usually both an input and output device, so it transmitts data to the PC and then to the outside world. The pictures that I decided to use are a modem and the Iphone 3GS. My example applies in the following way:
The modem is connected to the computer via USB, and to the phone socket. It receives the signal from the ISP central in order for the user to get the internet connection, and then displays the data that the user asks for on the computer screen.
The Iphone can also be used as a modem, but in this case I would use a Bluetooth Adapter as the form of communication.
How the devices communicate
As an example, I will show how the devices communicate by the method of making a song using FL Studio.
Let’s imagine I have the software on a USB Memory Stick, which I have just plugged into the computer. The file is compressed on a RAR file. In order to open the file, the CPU has to process that file and open it on a specific software, in this case it would be WinRAR.
When the processing is done, all the information that is used by the software and showed on screen will be saved on the memory, which would enable the project to be processed faster and more efficiently. In FL Studio, a keyboard is essential to record beats with different instrumental, so it would be very important to have this input device.
It would also be useful, depending on the type of music that the user is attempting to create, to have a microphone, therefore, an output device. Speakers are also essential, to listen to the music as you’re creating it.
