Peripherals for Computer Systems

Peripherals form a vital part of every computer system and account for a large part of the hardware cost. This book caters for the non-specialist computer user and the student of computing, by bringing together as much as they will want to know about the peripheral devices they are likely to meet. The book is mainly about the standard peripherals used in general purpose computer systems - keyboard and screen, printer, tape, and the various kinds of disk. Some more specialized peripherals, such as scanners and point-of-sale terminals, are covered in less detail. The book does not cover communications devices. Neither does it deal with the transducers and actuators used by computers concerned with process control or with laboratory experiments. The typical syllabus for courses in computing or computers gives very little time to peripherals. This book is therefore not linked to any specific course syllabus. It aims instead to meet the general needs of students of computing and computer engineering, and also of computer users who seek a fuller understanding of their systems.