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Peripheral
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<p>A peripheral device, or simply peripheral, is an auxiliary <a href="/facts/Electronic_hardware/fKcrTv2f">hardware</a> device that a <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a> uses to transfer information externally. A peripheral is a hardware component that is accessible to and controlled by a computer but is not a core component of the computer. </p><p>A peripheral can be categorized based on the direction in which information flows relative to the computer: </p> <ul><li>The computer receives data from an <i><a href="/facts/Input_device/TXYLUkux">input device</a></i>; examples: <a href="/facts/Computer_mouse/fJpa1tUE">mouse</a>, <a href="/facts/Keyboard_technology/MczF9LIS">keyboard</a>, <a href="/facts/Image_scanner/7DEJFTwx">scanner</a>, <a href="/facts/Game_controller/2PkNFsUX">game controller</a>, <a href="/facts/Microphone/7YWGlXCl">microphone</a> and <a href="/facts/Webcam/1vTYrHWw">webcam</a></li></ul> <ul><li>The computer sends data to an <i><a href="/facts/Output_device/zQt81QMq">output device</a></i>; examples: <a href="/facts/Computer_monitor/NRaTDFHc">monitor</a>, <a href="/facts/Printer_(computing)/PnDF2QuF">printer</a>, <a href="/facts/Headphones/hLd5e4Kv">headphones</a>, and <a href="/facts/Computer_speakers/uYcpD257">speakers</a></li></ul> <ul><li>The computer sends and receives data via an <i>input/output device</i>; examples: <a href="/facts/Computer_data_storage/wPHKFpdx">storage device</a> (such as <a href="/facts/Disk_storage/hnsXRb5X">disk drive</a>, <a href="/facts/Solid-state_drive/aMHBy8gU">solid-state drive</a>, <a href="/facts/USB_flash_drive/Jv0qmTCF">USB flash drive</a>, <a href="/facts/Memory_card/Rwy2lKS2">memory card</a> and <a href="/facts/Tape_drive/9MfLuCa0">tape drive</a>), <a href="/facts/Modem/9H0Xwtq0">modem</a>, <a href="/facts/Router_(computing)/Nh5cIyVf">router</a>, <a href="/facts/Gateway_(telecommunications)/YTYSqhqN">gateway</a> and <a href="/facts/Network_adapter/wyf5FR29">network adapter</a></li></ul> <p>Many modern electronic devices, such as Internet-enabled <a href="/facts/Watch/PuFUMNTl">digital watches</a>, <a href="/facts/Video_game_console/K72D1NSS">video game consoles</a>, <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a>, and <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablet computers</a>, have interfaces for use as a peripheral. </p>