Keypuncher Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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keypuncher
[ˈkiːˌpʌnʧər ]
Definition
job title
A keypuncher is a person who enters data into a computer or a data processing system, typically using a keypunch machine. This role was particularly common before the advent of modern computer keyboards when data was punched onto cards for storage and processing. Keypunchers are responsible for ensuring that data is accurately transcribed and formatted for later use. Though the occupation has declined significantly with advancements in technology, it played a crucial role during the early computer era.
Synonyms
data entry clerk, data processor, keyboard operator.
Examples of usage
- The keypuncher worked late to meet the data entry deadline.
- She was trained as a keypuncher in the 1980s.
- Keypunchers played an essential role in data collection.
- After the automation, the keypuncher position became obsolete.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term comes from the early computing days when data was entered onto punch cards using a machine that would punch holes into the cards.
- Keypunchers were vital in the 1950s and 1960s when computers first became popular, as they were often the primary way to input data.
- The keypunch machine was introduced by IBM in the 1920s, fundamentally changing how data was processed.
Technology
- Traditional keypunch machines operated by inserting a card and manually pressing keys to punch holes, which represented data.
- While modern computers replaced keypunchers, the legacy of data entry through a physical medium continues in various forms today.
- Keypunching was often used in business and government sectors for tasks such as payroll and inventory management.
Cultural Impact
- In the 1980s, movies and media depicted keypunch operators as tech-savvy individuals integral to the computing revolution.
- The keypunching process became notorious for errors, leading to the phrase 'garbage in, garbage out' in computer science.
- With the rise of personal computers, the keypuncher era faded, but it remains a part of tech history in discussions of data entry evolution.
Education
- Courses in data entry and data processing often mention keypunching as a historical method to teach basic computer literacy.
- Understanding keypunching helps students appreciate how far technology has come and the evolution of data input methods.
- Learning about keypunching can also highlight the importance of accuracy in data entry and the consequences of mistakes.
Origin of 'keypuncher'
The term 'keypuncher' originates from the keypunch machine, a device used in the early days of computing for data entry. These machines allowed users to create punch cards, which were essential for data processing in the era before electronic input devices. The first keypunch machines were developed in the 1900s and became widely used in the 1930s for tasks in various industries, including business, government, and academia. As computers evolved in the late 20th century, the need for keypunchers diminished, leading to the decline of the occupation. Despite its obsolescence, the role of the keypuncher remains a significant part of the history of data entry and the development of computing technology.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,271, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.