paper tape

noun, Computers.

a narrow strip of paper in which holes are punched in designated patterns to represent characters: formerly in common use as an input/output medium.

Also called punched tape, punch tape.

Origin

1885-90, for earlier sense

Examples from the web for paper tape

Previously, commands had to be fed into a computer in batches, usually via a punch card or paper tape.
There was a bookcase and a worktable with piles of manuals, scraps from notebooks, and rolled-up fragments of yellow paper tape.
Apply paper tape to all four sides of the wafer, if you are active.
Properly seal the envelope flap with gummed kraft paper tape.
Tapers apply the joint compound along each side of the joint, and apply paper tape the length of the joint.
Tape recording uses iron oxide on paper tape or plastic tape to make the magnetic recording.
When the magnet operated, the stylus made an impression or tiny dent in a paper tape which wound past a clockwork motor.
If the stage height is recorded to paper tape the data is read from the paper tape by a paper tape reader attached to a computer.
Ridges on the drums caused pins to punch a line of holes in the paper tape.
In some machines the message may also be recorded on paper tape.

British Dictionary definitions for paper tape

paper tape

noun

a former name for punched tape

paper tape in Technology

hardware, history
Punched paper tape. An early input/output and storage medium borrowed from telegraph and teletype systems.
Data entered at the keyboard of the teletype could be directed to a perforator or punch which punched a pattern of holes across the width of a paper tape to represent the characters typed. The paper tape could be read by a tape reader feeding the computer. Computer output could be similarly punched onto tape and printed off-line.
As well as storage of the program and data, use of paper tape enabled batch processing.
The first units had five data hole positions plus a sprocket hole (for the driving wheel) across the width of the tape. These used commercial telegraph code (ITA2 also known as Murray), Baudot code, or proprietary codes such as Elliott which were more programmer-friendly. Later systems had eight data holes and used ASCII coding.
(2003-12-02)