Word processor program: Difference between revisions

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{{Afd-merge to|Word processor|Word processor program|21 July 2025}}

{{Short description|Computer program that provides word processing functions}}

{{About|the computer program|stand-alone word processing machines|Word processor (electronic device)|the general concept|Word processor}}

{{More citations needed|article|date=May 2024}}

[[File:Libreoffice writer 20120206055154.png|thumb|A document being edited in the [[LibreOffice]] word processor]]

A '''word processor program''' is an [[Application software|application program]] that provides [[word processing]] functions. The most basic of them include input, editing, formatting, and output of [[Formatted text|rich text]].

Word processor programs run on general purpose computers, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

The functions of a word processor program fall somewhere between those of a simple [[text editor]] and a fully functioned [[desktop publishing]] program. While the distinction between a text editor and a word processor is clear—namely the capability of editing [[Formatted text|rich text]]—the distinctions between a word processor and a desktop publishing program has become unclear as word processing software has gained features such as [[Ligature (writing)|ligature]] support [[Microsoft Word#Layout issues|added to the 2010 version of Microsoft Word]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Amanda Presley |date=28 January 2010 |title=What Distinguishes Desktop Publishing From Word Processing? |url=https://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/62697.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401202701/https://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/62697.aspx |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=1 January 2019 |website=Brighthub.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=28 May 2012 |title=How to Use Microsoft Word as a Desktop Publishing Tool |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/256204/how_to_use_microsoft_word_as_a_desktop_publishing_tool.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819055243/http://www.pcworld.com/article/256204/how_to_use_microsoft_word_as_a_desktop_publishing_tool.html |archive-date=19 August 2017 |access-date=3 May 2018 |website=PCWorld}}</ref>

The functions of a word processor program are typically between those of a simple [[text editor]] and a [[desktop publishing]] program; Many word processing programs have gained advanced features over time providing similar functionality to desktop publishing programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Features/Advanced-Layout-with-LibreOffice-Writer|title=Advanced Layout with LibreOffice Writer|last=Bruce Byfield|website=linux-magazine.com|access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/62697.aspx|title=What Distinguishes Desktop Publishing From Word Processing?|last=Amanda Presley|date=28 January 2010|website=Brighthub.com|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401202701/https://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/publishing/articles/62697.aspx|archive-date=1 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/256204/how_to_use_microsoft_word_as_a_desktop_publishing_tool.html|title=How to Use Microsoft Word as a Desktop Publishing Tool|date=28 May 2012|website=PCWorld|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819055243/http://www.pcworld.com/article/256204/how_to_use_microsoft_word_as_a_desktop_publishing_tool.html|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Common word processor programs include [[LibreOffice Writer]], [[Microsoft Word]], local/offline applications, and [[Google Docs]], an [[online application]].

Common word processor programs include [[LibreOffice Writer]], [[Microsoft Word]], local/offline applications, and [[Google Docs]], anand [[onlineMicrosoft applicationWord]].

== History ==

The first known [[electronics|electronic]] [[word processor]] program was [[Electric Pencil]], released in 1976, as a tool for programmers to write documentation and manuals for their code. Electric pencil featured basic formatting and navigation, and supported external devices such as cassette recorders and printers. Electric Pencil II was released shortly after, targeting the [[CP/M]] operating system. Several other word processing programs were released shortly after, including [[EasyWriter]] and [[WordStar]].<ref name="origins-2006">{{cite journal |last1=Bergin |first1=Thomas J. |title=The Origins of Word Processing Software for Personal Computers: 1976-1985 |journal=IEEE Annals of the History of Computing |date=October 2006 |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=32–47 |doi=10.1109/MAHC.2006.76 |s2cidbibcode=18895790 |url=https://ieeexplore2006IAHC.ieee.org/document/4042484.28d..32T |access-dates2cid=29 June 202218895790 |issn=1934-1547}}</ref>

[[File:WordStar.png|thumb|A screenshot of WordStar 3.0 in use]]

[[WordStar]] was created in four months by Seymour Rubinstein after founding [[MicroPro International]] in 1978. WordStar is commonly attributed as the first [[WYSIWYG]] (what you see is what you get) editor, as the WordStar editor replicated the printed output.

Inspired by the success of WordStar, by 1982 many competitors began to release their offerings,<ref name="iw19820412">{{Cite magazine |last1=Freiberger |first1=Paul |last2=Dvorak |first2=John C. |date=1982-04-12 |title=West Coast Computer Faire draws 40,000 people |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YjAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=2025-03-16 |magazine=InfoWorld |pages=1, 6–7}}</ref> including [[WordPerfect]] in 1979, [[MultiMate]] in 1982, and [[Microsoft Word]] in 1983.<ref name="origins-2006" /><ref name="proliferation-2006">{{cite journal |last1=Bergin |first1=Thomas J. |title=The Proliferation and Consolidation of Word Processing Software: 1985-1995 |journal=IEEE Annals of the History of Computing |date=October 2006 |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=48–63 |doi=10.1109/MAHC.2006.77 |s2cidbibcode=20785663 |url=https://ieeexplore2006IAHC.ieee.org/document/4042485.28d..48T |access-dates2cid=29 June 202220785663 |issn=1934-1547}}</ref>

== List of word processor programs ==

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A word processing function is an essential part of an [[office suite]], for example Writer in [[LibreOffice]] and Word in [[Microsoft Office]]. With the emergenceascent of the internet, different [[cloud-based]] word processor programs emerged, such as [[Google Docs]], andenabling thenpeople laterto [[Collaboramore Online]]easily work remotely and collaboratively. Later on other online word processors such as [[Microsoft Office|Microsoft Office on the web]] whichand enable[[Collabora peopleOnline]] to relatively morebecame easily work remotely and collaborativelyavailable.

== See also ==