text processor

2022

What is a text processor?
A little history about the word processor
Advantages of a word processor
Word processor examples

We explain what a word processor is and a little history about this computer tool. Also, its advantages and some examples.

A word processor has different fonts, sizes, colors, and text formats.

What is a text processor?

The word processor is a type of computer program or application whose main function is to create or modify text documents, written in computer.

A word processor is arguably the modern version of a typewriter, with far more features and versatility. In a processor text you can work with different fonts (fonts) as well as sizes, colors, text formats, effects, insert images, tables, etc.

The texts that are processed in said programs are stored in the computer as a archive of text that are usually called documents. It also allows you to save them on other media, such as a pen drive or a floppy disk in the past. In turn, the program allows you to directly print the files.

Another important function that these processors have is the possibility of spelling and grammar correction, in addition to having dictionaries that facilitate the task of the writer.

A little history about the word processor

Floppy disks marked a before and after in computing.

These programs were among the first created when personal computers were introduced to the market. In the beginning they only allowed entry of text, without images or effects, and they evolved over the years. These programs were developed in response to the needs math more than computer science.

In 1964 IBM created the first magnetic typewriter that allowed text correction without the need to retype everything. IBM sold its invention as a "word processing machine", hence the name these applications are known today.

In 1970 IMB also created floppy disks that marked a before and after in the computing. These floppy disks could hold more pages of text (up to 100) than before.

Advantages of a word processor

First, with a word processor we can edit a text, choose the font, the font size, highlighting tools (bold for example), among other possibilities that give the text agility.
It is also possible to align the text, choose the space between paragraphs and the line spacing, incorporate elements such as images, hyperlinks, headers and footers, page breaks, forms, and so on.
They also offer spell checkers and dictionaries to search synonyms or translate words from one language to another.
Images and graphics can be inserted within the same text.
They also allow the creation of tables, lists with numbering or bullets.