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== Definition ==
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A '''peripheral''' is a piece of [[computer hardware]] that is added to a [[computer]] to expand its abilities. The term also tends to be applied to devices that are hooked up externally through some form of computer [[bus]] like a [[USB]]. Typical examples include [[joystick]]s, [[printer]]s and [[scanner]]s.
  
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A '''peripheral''' (also '''peripheral equipment''') is
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{{Quote|[a]ny external [[device]] attached to a [[computer]], including [[monitor]]s, [[keyboard]]s, [[mice]], [[printer]]s, [[optical scanner]]s, and the like.<ref>[[Practices for Securing Critical Information Assets]], Glossary, at 56.</ref>}}
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  ⚫
The term also tends to be applied to devices that are hooked up externally through some form of computer [[bus]] like a [[USB]]. Typical examples include [[joystick]]s, [[printer]]s and [[scanner]]s.
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== Overview ==
   
 
Some people do not consider internal devices such as [[video capture card]]s to be peripherals because they are inside the computer case; for them, the term peripherals is reserved exclusively for devices that are hooked up externally to the computer.
  
Some people do not consider internal devices such as [[video capture card]]s to be peripherals because they are inside the computer case; for them, the term peripherals is reserved exclusively for devices that are hooked up externally to the computer.
   
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The term has somewhat fallen out of modern usage; it was mainly used in the early days of the home [[computer]] market to refer to things like [[floppy disk drive]]s and [[modem]]s. Today most of these devices are installed inside the computer case, and external devices typically function on their own such as [[MP3]] players and [[cell phone]]s.
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The term has somewhat fallen out of modern usage; it was mainly used in the early days of the home [[computer]] market to refer to things like [[floppy disk drive]]s and [[modem]]s. Today most of these [[device]]s are [[install]]ed inside the [[computer]] case, and external [[device]]s typically function on their own such as [[MP3]] players and [[cell phone]]s.
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== References ==
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<references />
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== See also ==
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<div style="-moz-column-count:3; column-count:3;">
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* [[Bar code printer]]
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* [[Barcode reader]]
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* [[Cathode ray tube]]
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* [[Computer display]]
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* [[Computer terminal]]
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* [[Disk drive]]
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* [[Dumb terminal]]
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* [[Earbuds]]
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* [[Flash card reader]]
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* [[Flatbed scanner]]
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* [[Game controller]]
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* [[Graphics terminal]]
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* [[Headset]]
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* [[Intelligent terminal]]
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* [[Keyboard]]
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* [[Keypad]]
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* [[Laser printer]]
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* [[Media storage devices]]
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* [[Modem]]
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* [[Mouse]]
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* [[Multifunction printer]]
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* [[Numeric keypad]]
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* [[Optical disc drive]]
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* [[Optical scanner]]
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* [[Pointing device]]
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* [[Printer]]
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* [[Scanner]]
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* [[Storage]]
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* [[Tape cartridge]]
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* [[Thumb drive]]
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* [[USB memory stick]]
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* [[Universal serial bus]]
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* [[Wireless modem]]
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* [[Zip drive]]
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</div>
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{{Wikipedia|Peripherals}}
  
{{Wikipedia|Peripherals}}
 
[[Category:Hardware]]
  
[[Category:Hardware]]
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[[Category:Peripheral]]
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[[Category:Definition]]

Latest revision as of 22:11, 21 July 2013

Definition[]

A peripheral (also peripheral equipment) is

“ [a]ny external device attached to a computer, including monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, optical scanners, and the like.[1] ”

The term also tends to be applied to devices that are hooked up externally through some form of computer bus like a USB. Typical examples include joysticks, printers and scanners.

Overview[]

Some people do not consider internal devices such as video capture cards to be peripherals because they are inside the computer case; for them, the term peripherals is reserved exclusively for devices that are hooked up externally to the computer.

The term has somewhat fallen out of modern usage; it was mainly used in the early days of the home computer market to refer to things like floppy disk drives and modems. Today most of these devices are installed inside the computer case, and external devices typically function on their own such as MP3 players and cell phones.

References[]

  1. ↑ Practices for Securing Critical Information Assets, Glossary, at 56.

See also[]


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