What Is a Punched Card Reader?
A punched card reader is a device engineered to interpret data encoded through specific patterns of holes punched into thick paper cards, commonly referred to as punched cards. This method of data input and storage was a precursor to modern digital data processing, finding widespread application in various sectors including manufacturing, banking, government, and education, primarily for handling large data volumes efficiently.
Operating by detecting the unique configurations of punched holes, the reader translates these physical markings into digital information. The device encompasses functionalities such as the ability to read and interpret the punched patterns as digital data, input capabilities for incorporating data from user-generated punched cards into computing systems, and data processing features to transform the ingested data into a format amenable to computer processing.