Definition

1. Noun:
   • A long narrow strip of paper: A physical medium, historically used for data storage and transmission, consisting of a continuous strip of paper in which patterns of holes are punched to represent data.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The computer program was stored on paper tape before being loaded into the machine.
  • Early teleprinters used paper tape to send and receive messages.

Advanced Usage

• "to read paper tape": To interpret the data encoded in the holes punched along the strip.
  • The old machine could read paper tape at a speed of 100 characters per second.
• "to punch paper tape": To create data by making holes in the strip using a specialized device.
  • The operator had to punch paper tape to prepare the data for transmission.

Variants and Related Words

• Punched tape (n): A more general term for paper tape or similar media (e.g., Mylar) used for data storage via punched holes. This is often used synonymously with "paper tape."
  • Punched tape was a common input medium for early computers.
• Tape reader (n): A device that reads data from paper tape.
  • The tape reader malfunctioned, so the data on the paper tape could not be processed.

Synonyms

• Punched tape: A strip of paper or other material in which holes are punched to store data.
• Perforated tape: A tape with a series of holes, especially one used for data.

Related Phrases

• Paper tape loop: A continuous loop of paper tape, often used for repetitive tasks or messages.
  • The teletype machine had a paper tape loop containing a standard header message.
• Paper tape punch: A device for creating holes in paper tape.
  • He fed the blank tape into the paper tape punch.

Related Idioms

(Note: As a specific technical term, "paper tape" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is largely confined to historical and technical contexts.)

Noun

1. a long narrow strip of paper