Soft copy
Encyclopedia
Soft copy and hard copy are types of output.
A soft copy is the unprinted digital document file
. This term is often contrasted with hard copy
. It can usually be viewed through an appropriate editing program, such as word processing
programs, database
programs, or presentation software, depending on the file type.
It can be transported from one computer to another through file transfer/downloading mechanisms such as ftp or http, as an email
attachment, or through USB drives
and other disk drives. Keeping a digital copy of a document
can allow easy editing of it later on. See hard copy
for information about printed documents.
Using soft copies of work over traditional printed documents eliminates the need for paper
and ink
. Multiple copies of the same document can be kept in different versions, allowing the user to easily backtrack to an earlier version. Also, soft copies are more easily manipulated by users than hard copies
, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
When soft copies are kept on storage devices, they conserve office space. Softcopy documents are more portable compared to hardcopy because it is not bulky like hardcopy.
A soft copy is the unprinted digital document file
Computer file
A computer file is a block of arbitrary information, or resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage. A file is durable in the sense that it remains available for programs to use after the current program has finished...
. This term is often contrasted with hard copy
Hard copy
In information handling, a hard copy is a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person , of displayed or transmitted data...
. It can usually be viewed through an appropriate editing program, such as word processing
Word processing
Word processing is the creation of documents using a word processor. It can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter.-External links:...
programs, database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
programs, or presentation software, depending on the file type.
It can be transported from one computer to another through file transfer/downloading mechanisms such as ftp or http, as an email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
attachment, or through USB drives
USB flash drive
A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g...
and other disk drives. Keeping a digital copy of a document
Document
The term document has multiple meanings in ordinary language and in scholarship. WordNet 3.1. lists four meanings :* document, written document, papers...
can allow easy editing of it later on. See hard copy
Hard copy
In information handling, a hard copy is a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person , of displayed or transmitted data...
for information about printed documents.
Using soft copies of work over traditional printed documents eliminates the need for paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
and ink
Ink
Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments and/or dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink is used for drawing and/or writing with a pen, brush, or quill...
. Multiple copies of the same document can be kept in different versions, allowing the user to easily backtrack to an earlier version. Also, soft copies are more easily manipulated by users than hard copies
Hard copy
In information handling, a hard copy is a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person , of displayed or transmitted data...
, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
When soft copies are kept on storage devices, they conserve office space. Softcopy documents are more portable compared to hardcopy because it is not bulky like hardcopy.