Editing Hard copy (section)

{{short description|Paper or other physical form of information}}
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In [[Data processing|information handling]], the U.S. [[Federal Standard 1037C]] (Glossary of Telecommunication Terms) defines a '''hard copy''' as a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person (in particular [[paper]]), of displayed or transmitted [[data]]. Examples of hard copies include [[teleprinter]] pages, continuous printed tapes, computer printouts, and radio photo prints. On the other hand, physical objects such as [[magnetic tape]]s, [[Floppy disk|floppy disks]], or non-printed [[Punched tape|punched paper tapes]] are not defined as hard copies by 1037C.<ref name=FS>[http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-017/_2534.htm Hard copy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505172544/http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-017/_2534.htm |date=5 May 2012 }} as defined in [[Federal Standard 1037C]].</ref>

A file that can be viewed on a screen without being printed is sometimes called a '''soft copy'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Soft Copy|website=Collins English Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/soft-copy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Soft Copy|url=http://www.dictionary.com/browse/soft-copy|website=dictionary.com}}</ref> The U.S. Federal Standard 1037C defines "soft copy" as "a nonpermanent display image, for example, a [[Cathode-ray tube|cathode ray tube display]]."<ref>[https://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/fs-1037c.htm "Soft copy"], as defined in Federal Standard 1037C. </ref>

The term "hard copy" predates the digital computer. In the book and newspaper printing process, "hard copy" refers to a manuscript or typewritten document that has been edited and proofread and is ready for [[typesetting]] or being read on-air in a radio or television broadcast. The old meaning of hard copy was mostly discarded after the [[information revolution]].<ref name=MW>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copy hard copy] as defined by Merriam-Webster Online.</ref>