input/output
<programming, operating system> (I/O) Communication between a computer
and its users, its storage devices, other computers (via a network) or the
outside world. The devices the computer uses to do this are called
"peripherals". What actually counts as I/O depends on what level of detail you
are considering, e.g. communication between processors would not be considered
I/O when considering a multiprocessor as a single system.
Important aspects of I/O are throughput, latency, and whether the communications
is synchronous or asynchronous (using some kind of buffer).
(2003-12-04)
Nearby terms:
Input « input « input device « input/output »
input/output redirection » inquiry/response system »
INRIA
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