Computer peripherals

Author: Zhang Junliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: This book takes the understanding and use of peripheral devices as its starting point, providing a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the functions, principles, existing issues, and development of various types of peripheral devices, including input devices, output devices, external storage devices, multimedia devices, and network devices. It focuses on describing the composition and working principles of some typical devices. This book is primarily aimed at undergraduate students in computer science, senior students in non-computer majors, and technical personnel engaged in computer-related work. It can be used as a textbook or a reference book for work. [Preface] Any computer system is composed of hardware and software systems. In the hardware system, in addition to the mainframe, corresponding peripheral devices must be equipped for the computer system to operate normally. Peripheral devices are the interface between humans and computer systems. Computer operators use computers through various peripheral devices, which serve as tools and bridges for humans to use computers. Therefore, peripheral device knowledge is an important component of computer science and technology knowledge, and students studying computer science, technology, and applications must have a certain understanding of peripheral devices. The 21st century will be the century of informatization. After entering the 21st century, countries around the world have accelerated the construction of informatization, and informatization construction has driven the development of computer science and technology. With the rapid development of computer technology and the continuous expansion of computer application areas, the variety, types, and quantity of peripheral devices have been increasing, and the proportion of peripheral devices in the cost of computer hardware systems has also been rising. In microcomputer systems, the proportion of peripheral devices in hardware costs has increased from around 50% in the early 1980s to around 70% now. In large computer systems, the proportion of peripheral devices in hardware costs has risen from around 50% in the 1960s to over 80% now. Peripheral device technology is advanced and develops rapidly, adopting almost all new materials and processes invented by humans. Therefore, peripheral device knowledge involves a wide range of knowledge and is highly comprehensive, covering multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, electronics, mechanics, automatic control, materials, and processing technology. Peripheral devices are numerous, with various models, and their performance, functions, and prices differ greatly. Special attention must be paid when selecting and configuring computer hardware systems. During computer usage, the majority of failures occur in peripheral devices. Therefore, as a computer professional, one must have knowledge of peripheral devices to be competent in configuring, using, maintaining, and integrating computer systems and developing them. Unlike principle courses such as Computer Organization Principles and Interface Technology, peripheral device courses have two distinct characteristics: comprehensiveness and practicality. Due to the vast amount of interdisciplinary knowledge involved, many fundamental principles cannot be covered in this course. For undergraduate students in computer science, it is unrealistic and impossible to expect them to master all aspects of peripheral devices. The requirements of this course are to gain a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the functions, principles, issues, and development of various types of peripheral devices based on practical work needs; and to master the working principles and structures of some currently commonly used typical devices. This book is divided into 7 chapters: Chapter 1, Overview of Computer Peripheral Devices; Chapter 2, Input Devices; Chapter 3, Output Devices; Chapter 4, External Storage Devices; Chapter 5, Multimedia Devices; Chapter 6, Network Devices; and Chapter 7, Other Devices. The main target audience of this book is students of various computer science majors in higher education institutions, senior students in non-computer majors, and various personnel currently engaged in computer-related work. It can be used as a textbook or a reference book. Due to the limited level of the authors, there may inevitably be inappropriate and incorrect places, and we sincerely invite experts and readers to point them out. The authors' email address is zhang_junl@263.net.