Client

The client is a hardware device (a terminal or microcomputer) at the opposite end of a host computer of a communication circuit. It usually provides end users with access to the data and software on the server. The client is an input/output device.
The most widely used computer input/output devices for a communication network are the terminals. There are several types of terminals in common use in business today. The most familiar type of input/output terminal for most end users is the keyboard terminal. This terminal usually has a keyboard as an input device and a monitor and/or a printer as an output device. Push- button telephones can also be used as input/output terminals in computer-controlled communications networks. This type of terminal represents the most readily accessible and least expensive terminal in common use today. There are many special purpose terminals. One is a point of sale (POS) terminal. These terminals enable retailing institutions to instantaneously record sales data and update inventory records at the time of sale. Another is a data collection terminal. The term data collection terminal refers to a type of terminal which can collect information on the ongoing performance of factory employees. A remote job entry (RJE) terminal is another type. It is used in situations in which large amounts of information must be printed out at a remote location. A cash register used in many fast-food restaurants is another special type of terminal. It can update sales and inventory records.