backspace

backspace

[′bak‚spās]

(computer science)

To move a recording medium one unit in the reverse or background direction.

(mechanical engineering)

To move a typewriter carriage back one space by depressing a backspace key.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

backspace

(character)

(BS) ASCII code 8, Control-H. The control character that should cause most output devices to move their current output position back to the previous character so that the next character output will replace (or overprint) it. Inputting a backspace (typically by pressing the backspace key) causes many systems to delete the character before the input cursor, though others use delete for this.

See twirling baton for an imaginitive use of backspace.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

backspace

(1) To move to the left. A backspace command to the printer moves the print head one character to the left. See Backspace key.

(2) To move to the previous block on a magnetic tape.

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