PUNCHED CARD Meaning and
Definition
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A punched card refers to a rectangular piece of stiff paper or cardboard that contains a series of holes in specific positions. It originated as a form of data storage and input medium in the early days of computing, most notably during the mid-20th century. Typically measuring around 7.375 by 3.25 inches, these cards were used to store information in the form of punched holes.
The holes on punched cards were arranged in predetermined positions to represent various types of data, such as numbers, characters, or instructions. These cards were read by special machines called card readers, which used electrical or mechanical sensors to detect the presence or absence of holes. Consequently, the patterns of holes on the cards were interpreted as data or commands.
Punched cards were extensively employed in early computer systems for tasks like data entry, program storage, and information retrieval. They were instrumental in streamlining and automating manual data processing tasks. Organizations used equipment like card punches to create punched cards by physically punching holes in them, while card sorters helped arrange, categorize, and sequence these cards based on the patterns of holes.
Though punched card technology has become largely obsolete in modern computing, it played a significant role in the development of early computers and data processing systems. The concepts and principles stemming from punched card systems laid the foundation for subsequent innovations in data storage and processing, notably in the field of computer programming.
Common Misspellings for PUNCHED CARD
- ounched card
- lunched card
- -unched card
- 0unched card
- pynched card
- phnched card
- pjnched card
- pinched card
- p8nched card
- p7nched card
- pubched card
- pumched card
- pujched card
- puhched card
- punxhed card
- punvhed card
- punfhed card
- pundhed card
- puncged card
Etymology of PUNCHED CARD
The word "punched card" has a straightforward etymology. The term "punched" refers to the holes that were physically punched into the card, while "card" signifies the stiff and rectangular piece of paper or cardboard used for data storage and processing.
Punched cards were widely used as a data storage and input method for early computers and information processing systems, particularly before the advent of electronic storage. The term originated from the physical action of punching holes into these cards to represent data or instructions. The punched holes could be read by machines on which the cards were processed, allowing the retrieval and manipulation of the stored information. Over time, punched cards became a critical component of various industries, including government, finance, and scientific research.
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