Tulostiedosto

Tulostiedosto is a Finnish term that translates to "output file" or "print file" in English. In computing, it refers to a file that is generated by a program or process as a result of its execution. This file typically contains data that is intended for display, printing, or further processing by another application.

The content of a tulostiedosto can vary greatly depending on the originating program. It might contain plain text, formatted text, data in a structured format like CSV or JSON, or even binary data representing an image or a document. For example, a word processing program might generate a tulostiedosto in a proprietary format for saving a document, while a reporting tool might produce a tulostiedosto containing tabular data.

The term is often used in the context of batch processing or automated tasks where a program runs without direct user interaction and produces an output file. This output file can then be used for analysis, archival, or as input for subsequent stages in a workflow. In some systems, the term can also refer specifically to a file intended to be sent to a printer, acting as a spool file or print job. The specific meaning can depend on the operating system or application context in which the term is encountered.