Merkkijäpäätteestä

Merkkijäpäätteestä, often translated as "character terminal" or "character-based terminal," refers to a type of user interface that displays information and accepts input using only text characters. Unlike modern graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that use windows, icons, and pointers, character terminals rely on a grid of characters to represent text and simple line-drawing elements.

These terminals were prevalent in the early days of computing. Users interacted with the system by typing commands and receiving text-based output. Common examples include the DEC VT100 and its successors, which became industry standards. The operation of these terminals typically involved sending character codes to a display device, such as a CRT monitor or a printer, and reading character input from a keyboard.

While largely superseded by GUIs, character terminals and their emulations remain relevant in certain contexts. Command-line interfaces (CLIs), which can be accessed through character terminals or terminal emulators, are still widely used by system administrators, developers, and power users for tasks requiring precise control and automation. The simplicity and efficiency of character-based interaction make them suitable for scripting and remote access. Modern operating systems often provide terminal emulators that simulate the behavior of traditional character terminals, allowing users to access powerful command-line tools within a GUI environment.