paper tape

[′pā·pər ′tāp] (computer science) A paper ribbon in which data may be represented by means of partially or completely punched holes.

paper tape

(hardware, history)Punched paper tape. An earlyinput/output and storage medium borrowed from telegraphand teletype systems.

Data entered at the keyboard of the teletype could be directedto a perforator or punch which punched a pattern of holesacross the width of a paper tape to represent the characterstyped. The paper tape could be read by a tape reader feedingthe computer. Computer output could be similarly punched ontotape and printed off-line.

As well as storage of the program and data, use of paper tapeenabled batch processing.

The first units had five data hole positions plus a sprockethole (for the driving wheel) across the width of the tape.These used commercial telegraph code (ITA2 also known asMurray), Baudot code, or proprietary codes such asElliott which were more programmer-friendly. Later systemshad eight data holes and used ASCII coding.

paper tape

(1) A slow, low-capacity, sequential storage medium used on earlier computing and communications devices. Paper tape holds data as patterns of punched holes.

(2) A paper roll printed by a calculator or cash register.

Paper Tape

Paper tape was widely used in the early years of computing as a storage medium. Its capacity of only a handful of characters per inch seems pitiful by today's storage standards.

Paper Tape on a Flexowriter

In the 1950s, this typewriter-like device was used to punch data into tape for the Whirlwind and SAGE computers (see Whirlwind and SAGE). For validation, another operator might type the data all over again having the machine compare a second set of keystrokes with the already-punched tape. (Image courtesy of The MITRE Corporation Archives.)

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Words related to paper tape

noun a long narrow strip of paper

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