The displaying information process outputs information from an information system to an external entity within the system’s environment (see Fig 9.1). 

The external entity viewing the displayed information is generally one or more persons. 

The purpose of the information system is achieved via the information displayed to these people. 

For example, a search engine displays a list of websites matching the user’s entered criteria. The purpose of the search engine is to suggest possible matches to the user. This purpose is achieved via the displayed list of websites.

Displaying is often a sub-process within other information process. 

For example, when collecting data online a monitor is used to display the data entry form, similarly progress bars are often displayed whilst intensive processing takes place. These are examples of information that is being displayed to inform and direct users. In fact, whenever a person receives information from a system a displaying information process has occurred.

The general meaning of displaying is to show, exhibit or put on view. This meaning encompasses sound and video as well as text, numeric and image data.  Hence display hardware includes speakers as well as various types of screens and printers. In fact any device that performs actions based on information from a system is a display device. For example, the switches within traffic lights are display devices, they cause the lights to turn on or off based on information from the traffic light control system.

Software is used to 

• interface with display hardware and it is also used to 
• prepare information into a suitable form for display.