Switcher

Switcher is a term with multiple meanings across technology and transportation, referring to devices or roles that perform switching, routing, or transitions between options.

In electronics, a switcher can be any circuit or device that selects between different electrical signals or channels. In power electronics, the phrase is commonly used for switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), which use high-speed switching transistors to convert voltages efficiently. A switcher controller may be integrated in or drive these circuits. In signal routing, a video switcher (or production switcher) selects between several video inputs and can apply transitions and effects; it is a core component in television studios and live productions, with software-based and hardware-based implementations.

In telecommunications and networking, a switcher can describe a device that routes signals, functioning similarly to a multiplexer or demultiplexer to channel data or analog signals along different paths.

In rail transport, a switcher (also called a shunter) is a locomotive designed for assembling trains and moving railcars within yards rather than for long-haul service. Switchers emphasize high torque at low speed and compact construction for frequent low-speed maneuvers.

In computing and software, the term appears in the context of user interfaces, where a switcher or task switcher facilitates moving between running applications or windows, often via keyboard shortcuts or on-screen controls.

Overall, switchers share the common trait of directing or changing a current state, signal, or configuration by selecting among alternatives, across electrical, electronic, transport, and UI applications.