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Keypunching Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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keypunching

[ˈkiːˌpʌnʧɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

data entry

Keypunching refers to the process of entering data into a computer or other electronic device by using a keyboard or punch card. This method was primarily used in the early days of computing when data was inputted into systems using mechanical keypunch machines. The act of keypunching can often involve programming and coding, making it an essential skill in data management. Although it has become less common with advancements in technology, the term still signifies the basic concept of entering information electronically.

Synonyms

coding, data entry, keyboard entry.

Examples of usage

  • She spent hours keypunching the survey results into the system.
  • The technician is keypunching data for the inventory tracking.
  • He learned keypunching as part of his training in computer operations.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Technology

  • Keypunching was a prevalent method to input information until the 1980s, when personal computers began to replace keypunch machines.
  • The keypunch machine operated by using keys that, when pressed, would create holes in punch cards, which could then be read by computers.

Job Market

  • In the mid-20th century, keypunch operators were in high demand, as businesses relied heavily on data entry for various operations.
  • As technology advanced, the role of keypunch operators diminished, leading to a shift towards computer operators and programmers.

Education

  • Many vocational schools in the 1970s and 1980s offered keypunching courses to prepare students for careers in data processing.
  • Learning keypunching was often one of the first steps in understanding early computing and programming concepts.

Cultural Impact

  • Keypunching features prominently in early depictions of computer work in movies and media, often portrayed as a tedious but vital task.
  • The rise of keypunching influenced pop culture, leading to the portrayal of data processing jobs as the backbone of modern business.

Origin of 'keypunching'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'keypunch' originated in the early computer era, relating to a specific machine that punched holes into cards to store data.
  • Initially developed in the 1900s, keypunching became essential in data processing before modern computers took over.

The term 'keypunching' originated in the early 20th century, primarily used in conjunction with keypunch machines that were developed for data entry tasks. Keypunch machines were devices that allowed operators to create punch cards, which stored data in a physical format for processing by early computers. As technology progressed, the term evolved to describe the action of entering data manually via a keyboard, reflecting the shift from hardware-based data entry methods to the more modern keyboard-centric approaches. This transition mirrored the development of computers and software, where keypunching became synonymous with data input as we moved from physical punch cards to electronic forms. Today, while the specific term 'keypunching' may be less common due to the prevalence of more advanced data entry techniques, its roots in early computing history highlight the foundational practices in the evolution of information technology.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,811, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.