different between backspace vs backspaceable

English

Etymology

back +? space

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?bæk?spe?s/

Noun

backspace (plural backspaces)

1. The key on a typewriter that moves the head one position backwards.
2. (computing) A keyboard key used for removing a character behind the cursor, and moving the cursor one position backwards.
3. (computing) The non-printable text character representing a backspace.

Derived terms

• backspaceable
• backspacer
• destructive backspace

Translations

Verb

backspace (third-person singular simple present backspaces, present participle backspacing, simple past and past participle backspaced)

1. (computing) To remove a character behind a cursor.
2. (computing) To move a magnetic tape to a previous block.

Translations

Portuguese

Etymology

From English backspace.

Noun

backspace m (plural backspaces)

1. backspace (computer key)

English

Etymology

backspace +? -able

Adjective

backspaceable (not comparable)

1. (computing, rare) Supporting a backspace function.
   • 1992, "Joseph M. Newcomer", ASCII (on newsgroup alt.folklore.computers)

     The reason was to allow the newer backspaceable Teletypes and their code-compatible derivatives to represent the international character sets more readily.

   • 2009, "Richard Maine", Error writing on unit 22 (on newsgroup comp.lang.fortran)

     Anyway, the standard does allow for non-backspaceable files, at the compiler's choice.