control code
<character> A character which is input or output to cause some special
action rather than to appear as part of the data.
Most control characters are input by holding down (either of) the "Control"
key(s) on the keyboard and simultaneously pressing another key which may be a
letter or (depending on the keyboard and operating system) certain punctuation
characters. Some control codes usually have their own special keys: escape, tab,
delete, backspace, return and can thus be entered with a single keypress.
Different operating systems and programs have different conventions for what
effect typing certain control codes will have, such as interrupting the current
process or suspending output.
Control codes may be output for their effect on the output device, e.g. moving
the cursor or print head to the start of a new line.
See control-O, control-Q, control-S.
(1995-03-23)
Nearby terms:
control « Control and Status Register « control-C «
control code » control flow » control-G »
Control Language
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