videopääte

A videopääte, also known as a video display terminal (VDT) or simply a terminal, is a peripheral device that displays information on a screen, typically a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid-crystal display (LCD). It is connected to a computer or a server and allows a user to interact with the system by inputting commands and receiving output. Early videopäätteet were character-based, meaning they could only display text characters. These were common in the era of mainframe computing and early personal computers.

Modern videopäätteet are typically graphical, capable of displaying images, windows, and other graphical elements. They are an integral part of most modern computing systems, including personal computers, laptops, and smartphones. The term "videopääte" is less commonly used now in everyday conversation, as the functionality has become so integrated into computing devices. However, it remains relevant in discussions about the history of computing and in certain specialized contexts, such as in industrial or embedded systems where a dedicated display and input device might be referred to as such. The core function of a videopääte is to provide a visual interface for human-computer interaction.