What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Peripheral vs Controller - What's the difference?

peripheral | controller |

In computing terms the difference between peripheral and controller

is that peripheral is a device, such as a printer or scanner, connected to a computer while controller is a mechanism that controls or regulates the operation of a machine, especially a peripheral device in a computer.

As an adjective peripheral

is on the periphery or boundary.

peripheral

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • on the periphery or boundary
  • beside the point
  • unimportant
  • auxiliary
  • (neuroanatomy) a part of or located in the peripheral nervous system
  • * {{quote-journal , year=1988 , date=1 March 1988 , author= , title=Isolation and analysis of the gene encoding peripheral myelin protein zero , journal=Neuron citation
  • , passage=We have isolated the gene encoding the Schwann cell glycoprotein P0, the major structural protein of the peripheral myelin sheath.}}

    Derived terms

    * peripherally * peripheral vision * peripheral nervous system

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (computing) a device, such as a printer or scanner, connected to a computer
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • peripheral vision
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • * 2014 , Bill Ladson, "Zimmerman handles left field with ease -- and no E's" on MLB.com
  • I was kind of looking at the ball, keeping him in my peripheral and all of sudden I see him closing in on the ball.

    Synonyms

    * peripheral device

    controller

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who controls something.
  • * (rfdate) (Dryden)
  • The great controller of our fate / Deigned to be man, and lived in low estate.
  • (business) A person who audits, and manages the financial affairs of a company or government; a comptroller.
  • (computing) A mechanism that controls or regulates the operation of a machine, especially a peripheral device in a computer.
  • (nautical) An iron block, usually bolted to a ship's deck, for controlling the running out of a chain cable. The links of the cable tend to drop into hollows in the block, and thus hold fast until disengaged.
  • Synonyms

    * administrator * foreman * chief, head, head man * comptroller * overseer * organizer * superintendent * supervisor

    Derived terms

    * memory controller * microcontroller