näyttöpäätteen

A näyttöpäätteen, often translated as "display terminal" or simply "terminal" in English, is a computer hardware device that displays information from a computer. Historically, it was a standalone device consisting of a screen and a keyboard, connected to a central computer. These early terminals allowed users to interact with a mainframe or minicomputer by sending commands and receiving output. They were essential for accessing computing resources before personal computers became widespread.

Over time, the concept of a display terminal evolved. In modern computing, the functionality of a terminal is often emulated by software. A terminal emulator program, such as GNOME Terminal, Konsole, or Windows Terminal, creates a virtual terminal window on a graphical user interface. This allows users to interact with the operating system's command-line interface (CLI). Through the terminal emulator, users can execute commands, run scripts, and manage files and processes.

The physical appearance of a display terminal has changed dramatically. Early terminals used cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, similar to older televisions. These were bulky and consumed significant power. Modern "terminals" are typically integrated into personal computers, laptops, or smartphones, using flat-panel displays like LCD or OLED. The term "display terminal" can therefore refer to both historical dedicated hardware and the software-based emulations that are prevalent today. The core function remains the same: to provide a visual interface for user interaction with a computer system.