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Output device
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== Printing devices == ===Printer=== {{Main|Printer (computing)}} A ''printer'' is a device that outputs data to be put on a physical item, usually a piece of [[paper]]. Printers operate by transferring ink onto this medium in the form of the image received from the host. Early printers could only print text, but later developments allowed printing of graphics. Modern printers can receive data in multiple forms like [[vector graphics]], as an [[image]], a program written in a [[page description language]], or a string of characters. Multiple types of printers exist: ; [[Inkjet printer]]s : An inkjet printer injects tiny droplets onto the printing medium via a series of nozzles on a printing head. ; [[Laser printer]]s : A laser printer uses a [[laser]] to charge a drum of [[toner (printing)|toner]] in order to mark points where the toner would stick onto the medium. ; [[Thermal printer]]s : A printer which heats up a thermally sensitive roll of paper to reveal ink. Most often seen in retail stores to print [[receipt#Shop receipts|receipts]]. ; [[Dot matrix printer]] : A printer which uses [[impact printer|impact]] to transfer ink from a ribbon to the medium. ===Plotter=== {{Main|Plotter}} A ''plotter'' is a type of printer used to print [[vector graphics]]. Instead of drawing pixels onto the printing medium, the plotter draws lines, which may be done with a [[writing implement]] such as a pencil or pen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/plotter|title=What is plotter? - Definition from WhatIs.com|website=TechTarget}}</ref> ===Teleprinter=== {{Main|Teleprinter#Teleprinters in computing}} A ''teleprinter'' or ''teletypewriter'' (TTY) is a type of printer that is meant for sending and receiving messages. Before displays were used to display data visually, early computers would only have a teleprinter for use to access the [[system console]]. As the operator would enter commands into its keyboard, the teleprinter would output the results onto a piece of paper. The teleprinter would ultimately be succeeded by a [[computer terminal]], which had a display instead of a printer.
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