punched card

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Explanation of "Punched Card"

Definition:
A punched card is a card, usually made of stiff paper or cardboard, that has holes punched into it. These holes represent data or information. Punched cards were commonly used in the past, especially in the early days of computers and data processing, to store information.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Countability: Punched card is countable (you can say one punched card, two punched cards).
• Plural Form: Punched cards

Example Sentences

1. Basic Usage:

   • "In the 1960s, many computers used punched cards to input data."

2. Advanced Usage:

   • "The old mainframe computer required thousands of punched cards to run a single program."

Word Variants

• Punched Card System: A system that uses punched cards to process data.
• Punched Card Reader: A machine that reads the information from punched cards.

Different Meanings

While "punched card" primarily refers to the data storage card, it can also imply: - Historical Context: Referring to the early methods of computer programming and data entry.

Synonyms

• Punch Card: Another term often used interchangeably.
• Data Card: A more general term used for any card that holds data.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "punched card," as it is a technical term. However, you might encounter phrases like: - "Out of the loop": This means to not be informed about something. For example, "After they switched to digital data, many people felt out of the loop regarding punched card systems."

Summary

A punched card is a physical card with holes representing data. It is a historical tool used for data input in computers.

Academic

Noun

1. a card on which data can be recorded in the form of punched holes

Synonyms

• punch card
• Hollerith card