Peripheral: Difference between revisions

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A '''peripheral''' is a device attached to a computer to pass data in and out of the computer - either to [[secondary storage]] which is permanently accessible; some other form of data storage, intended for off-line storage; communication, either to users or other computers, etc.
A '''peripheral''' or '''device''' is attached to a computer usually in order to pass data in and out of the computer - either to [[secondary storage]] which is permanently accessible; some other form of data storage, intended for off-line storage; communication, either to users or other computers, etc. A few device types (such as [[real-time clock]]s) perform non-[[input/output|I/O]] functions.


Devices may use either [[programmed I/O]] or [[Direct Memory Access|DMA]] to get data in and out of the [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] and/or [[main memory]], and [[interrupt]]s to get the CPU to pay attention to the device.
Devices may use either [[programmed I/O]] or [[Direct Memory Access|DMA]] to get data in and out of the [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] and/or [[main memory]], and [[interrupt]]s to get the CPU to pay attention to the device.


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Revision as of 14:37, 14 May 2018

A peripheral or device is attached to a computer usually in order to pass data in and out of the computer - either to secondary storage which is permanently accessible; some other form of data storage, intended for off-line storage; communication, either to users or other computers, etc. A few device types (such as real-time clocks) perform non-I/O functions.

Devices may use either programmed I/O or DMA to get data in and out of the CPU and/or main memory, and interrupts to get the CPU to pay attention to the device.