Autotype
Encyclopedia
Autotype is a function in some computer applications or programs
, typically those containing forms
, which fills in a field once you have typed in the first few letters. Most of the time, such as in Internet Explorer
, the entries that appear in the list depend on the form's name, so as to not propose street names in a last name field or vice-versa.
Autotype can also refer to automatically determining a peripheral's
configuration or a program's variables
.
Autotype is defined as a 'true representation of the original' (see O.E.D). The term autotype was coined in the late 19th century and referred to a process for making photographic prints using a carbon process
. Many autotype prints were produced and the process was popular well into the 20th century, particularly since autotype prints are very long lasting (it is said that an autotype could last up to 500 years without fading). Autotype may also refer to halftone
printing.
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
, typically those containing forms
Form (web)
A webform on a web page allows a user to enter data that is sent to a server for processing. Webforms resemble paper or database forms because internet users fill out the forms using checkboxes, radio buttons, or text fields...
, which fills in a field once you have typed in the first few letters. Most of the time, such as in Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
, the entries that appear in the list depend on the form's name, so as to not propose street names in a last name field or vice-versa.
Autotype can also refer to automatically determining a peripheral's
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
configuration or a program's variables
Variable (programming)
In computer programming, a variable is a symbolic name given to some known or unknown quantity or information, for the purpose of allowing the name to be used independently of the information it represents...
.
Autotype is defined as a 'true representation of the original' (see O.E.D). The term autotype was coined in the late 19th century and referred to a process for making photographic prints using a carbon process
Carbon print
A carbon print is a photographic print with an image consisting of pigmented gelatin, rather than of silver or other metallic particles suspended in a uniform layer of gelatin, as in typical black-and-white prints, or of chromogenic dyes, as in typical photographic color prints.In the original...
. Many autotype prints were produced and the process was popular well into the 20th century, particularly since autotype prints are very long lasting (it is said that an autotype could last up to 500 years without fading). Autotype may also refer to halftone
Halftone
Halftone is the reprographic technique that simulates continuous tone imagery through the use of dots, varying either in size, in shape or in spacing...
printing.
See also
- AutocompleteAutocompleteAutocomplete is a feature provided by many web browsers, e-mail programs, search engine interfaces, source code editors, database query tools, word processors, and command line interpreters. Autocomplete involves the program predicting a word or phrase that the user wants to type in without the...
- AutofillAutofillAutofill is a function in some computer applications or programs, typically those containing forms, which fills in a field automatically.Most of the time, such as in Internet Explorer and Google Toolbar, the entries depend on the form field's name, so as to not enter street names in a last name...
- Context sensitive user interfaceContext sensitive user interfaceA context sensitive user interface is one which can automatically choose from a multiplicity of options based on the current or previous state of the program operation.Context sensitivity is almost ubiquitous in current graphical user interfaces, and should, when operating correctly, be practically...
- Combo boxCombo boxA combo box is a commonly used graphical user interface widget . It is a combination of a drop-down list or list box and a single-line textbox, allowing the user to either type a value directly into the control or choose from a list of existing options.Combo boxes are typically applied to provide...