userinput

User input is data provided by a person to a computer system, application, or device to influence its behavior. It encompasses text from a keyboard, selections with a mouse, touches on a screen, voice commands, or data submitted through forms and files. Managing input is a core aspect of software design.

Input is captured via user interfaces and input devices. Applications collect structured data through forms and prompts; command-line tools read text; programs often treat input as strings and convert it to numbers, dates, or other types. Modality, validation, and feedback shape the user experience.

Processing includes parsing, normalization, and validation. Validation checks formats and constraints, while sanitization removes potentially harmful content to reduce security risks. Error handling communicates problems to users and enables correction. Robust input handling helps prevent software crashes and data corruption.

Applications span data collection, search, configuration, web forms, and interactive interfaces. Good input design improves accuracy and usability, supports accessibility, and minimizes errors. In programming, typical examples include APIs for reading input, libraries, or event-driven input handling.

Security and privacy considerations are essential. Validate and sanitize input, enforce least-privilege data handling, and guard against injection attacks and cross-site scripting. Collect only necessary data and provide clear consent and controls over how input is stored and used.