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WORD PROCESSING
Using a computer to manipulate
text. In the olden days, it was known as writing.
More Detailed Definition:
Using a computer to create, edit,
and print documents. Of all computer applications, word processing
is the most common. To perform word processing, you need a
computer, a special program called a word processor, and a
printer. A word processor enables you to create a document, store
it electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify it by
entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it
on a printer.
The great advantage of word processing over using a typewriter is
that you can make changes without retyping the entire document. If
you make a typing mistake, you simply back up the cursor and
correct your mistake. If you want to delete a paragraph, you
simply remove it, without leaving a trace. It is equally easy to
insert a word, sentence, or paragraph in the middle of a document.
Word processors also make it easy to move sections of text from
one place to another within a document, or between documents. When
you have made all the changes you want, you can send the file to a
printer to get a hardcopy.
Word processors vary considerably, but all word processors support
the following basic features:
- insert text: Allows you to insert text anywhere in the document.
- delete text: Allows you to erase characters, words, lines, or
pages as easily as you can cross them out on paper.
- cut and paste : Allows you to remove (cut) a section of text from
one place in a document and insert (paste) it somewhere else.
- copy : Allows you to duplicate a section of text.
- page size and margins : Allows you to define various page sizes
and margins, and the word processor will automatically readjust
the text so that it fits.
- search and replace : Allows you to direct the word processor to
search for a particular word or phrase. You can also direct the
word processor to replace one group of characters with another
everywhere that the first group appears.
- word wrap : The word processor automatically moves to the next
line when you have filled one line with text, and it will readjust
text if you change the margins.
- print: Allows you to send a document to a printer to get hardcopy.
Word processors that support only these features (and maybe a few
others) are called text editors. Most word processors, however,
support additional features that enable you to manipulate and
format documents in more sophisticated ways. These more advanced
word processors are sometimes called full-featured word
processors. Full-featured word processors usually support the
following features:
- file management : Many word processors contain file management
capabilities that allow you to create, delete, move, and search
for files.
- font specifications: Allows you to change fonts within a document.
For example, you can specify bold, italics, and underlining. Most
word processors also let you change the font size and even the
typeface.
- footnotes and cross-references: Automates the numbering and
placement of footnotes and enables you to easily cross-reference
other sections of the document.
- graphics graphics: Allows you to embed illustrations and graphs
into a document. Some word processors let you create the
illustrations within the word processor; others let you insert an
illustration produced by a different program.
- headers , footers , and page numbering: Allows you to specify
customized headers and footers that the word processor will put at
the top and bottom of every page. The word processor automatically
keeps track of page numbers so that the correct number appears on
each page.
- layout : Allows you to specify different margins within a single
document and to specify various methods for indenting paragraphs.
- macros : A macro is a character or word that represents a series
of keystrokes. The keystrokes can represent text or commands. The
ability to define macros allows you to save yourself a lot of time
by replacing common combinations of keystrokes.
- merges: Allows you to merge text from one file into another file.
This is particularly useful for generating many files that have
the same format but different data. Generating mailing labels is
the classic example of using merges.
- spell checker : A utility that allows you to check the spelling of
words. It will highlight any words that it does not recognize.
tables of contents and indexes: Allows you to automatically create
a table of contents and index based on special codes that you
insert in the document.
- thesaurus: A built-in thesaurus that allows you to search for
synonyms without leaving the word processor.
- windows : Allows you to edit two or more documents at the same
time. Each document appears in a separate window. This is
particularly valuable when working on a large project that
consists of several different files.
- WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get): With WYSIWYG, a document
appears on the display screen exactly as it will look when
printed.
The line dividing word processors from desktop publishing systems
is constantly shifting. In general, though, desktop publishing
applications support finer control over layout, and more support
for full-color documents.
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