What is the primary function of a printer in computing?

The primary function of a printer in computing is to produce a hard copy of digital documents. This means that printers are designed to take digital information from a computer and convert it into a physical format, such as paper. When you send a document to the printer, the printer processes that data and generates a printed version that can be read and handled in the physical world.

This function is crucial for many business practices, where having a tangible copy of a document is necessary for presentations, record-keeping, or distribution. While there are other devices and functions related to digital documents, such as creating or scanning, the essential role of a printer is specifically to produce that physical output from digital inputs.