SyStem> (I/O) Communication between a computer and itS uSerS, itSStorage 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 iSSynchronouS or aSynchronouS (uSing Some kind of buffer). (2003-12-04)
