Definition

1. Noun:
   • A non-printing character in a character set: A "control character" is a code point in a character set that does not represent a written symbol. Instead, it is used to control or influence the processing and display of text and data.
   • A command for hardware or software: It sends a command to an output device (like a printer or display) or a software application to perform a specific operation, such as moving the cursor, starting a new line, or deleting a character.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the ASCII standard, the "line feed" (LF) is a common control character.
  • To insert a tab in plain text, you use the tab control character.
  • The file format uses control characters to separate different data fields.

Advanced Usage

• "Non-printing character": A common synonym emphasizing that these characters are not meant to be displayed as visible glyphs.

  • The text editor has a mode to show all non-printing characters, including spaces and control characters.

• "Escape sequence": In many programming and markup languages, a control character (often the ESC character) is used to begin a sequence that changes the interpretation of subsequent characters.

  • The terminal command uses an escape sequence starting with the control character ESC to change the text color.

Variants and Related Words

• Control code (n): Often used interchangeably with "control character," especially in the context of data transmission and storage.

  • The communication protocol defines specific control codes for starting and ending a message.

• Ctrl key (n): The modifier key on a keyboard, labeled "Ctrl," which is held down with another key to generate a control character.

  • You can send a "break" signal by pressing the Ctrl key and the 'C' key simultaneously.

Synonyms

• Command character: A character that issues a command to a device.
• Non-printing character: A character that does not produce a visible mark.

Related Phrases

• To send a control character: To transmit a control character code.

  • The program sends a control character to the printer to initiate a form feed.

• To interpret a control character: To process the command represented by the character.

  • The terminal must correctly interpret the control character to move the cursor to the beginning of the line.

Related Idioms

• "Under the control of": While not an idiom for the character itself, this phrase relates to the concept of control. In computing, data or devices operate under the control of specific commands, including those sent via control characters.
  • The text formatting is under the control of embedded commands and control characters.

Noun

1. ASCII characters to indicate carriage return or tab or backspace; typed by depressing a key and the control key at the same time