Pasteboard: meaning, definitions and examples
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pasteboard
[ ˈpeɪstˌbɔrd ]
computer interface
A pasteboard is a type of virtual clipboard in computing where text and images are temporarily stored for copying and pasting between applications. It serves as a buffer that holds the data until it is pasted elsewhere. Depending on the operating system, pasteboards can also allow multiple items to be stored concurrently.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- I copied the image to the pasteboard before inserting it into the document.
- You can access the pasteboard to retrieve your copied text.
- The pasteboard allows for quick data transfer between apps.
Etymology
The term 'pasteboard' originated in the early days of computing, drawing inspiration from the physical clipboard used to hold paper documents. The 'paste' function allows users to insert previously copied content into a new location, mimicking the action of pasting a paper document onto another surface. As technology evolved, the pasteboard became a fundamental part of user interfaces across various operating systems. This digital pasteboard not only mirrors the original clipboard concept but also enhances it by enabling the storage and management of multiple items and complex data types, such as images and formatted text. The term has been widely adopted in programming and user experience discussions, highlighting its essential role in facilitating user interactions with software applications.