périodice

Périodice, from the French term périodique, refers to a periodical publication released at regular intervals. This broad category includes newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters, and other serial publications that appear on a recurring schedule and often continue over time with new issues.

Key characteristics of a périodice are its regular frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly) and its serial structure, usually organized into issues and volumes. Content may span news, essays, reports, fiction, or scholarly articles, and the publication may be print, digital, or hybrid. Editorial processes vary by type: scholarly journals commonly involve peer review and formal standards, while magazines and newsletters may emphasize features, commentary, or professional information.

Formats and access have evolved with technology. Traditional périodices appeared in print and are now frequently available online, through publisher websites, databases, or aggregator platforms. Metadata such as ISSN (and DOIs for individual articles) supports indexing and discovery. Digital access enables archiving and long-term preservation, though rights and licensing vary by publisher and model (subscription, open access, or pay-per-view).

Types include popular magazines for general audiences, scholarly journals for academic research, trade or professional magazines, and newsletters from associations or institutions. Differences among them often lie in audience, content type, and whether material undergoes peer review.

Historically, periodicals emerged in early modern Europe with newsbooks and official gazettes, expanding in the 18th–19th centuries to literary and scientific journals, and later to mass-market magazines. The digital era further reshaped production, distribution, and access.