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}}

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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 runningrun on general purpose computers, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

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>

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== 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]]

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[[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="mace19820412iw19820412">{{Cite magazine |lastlast1=MaceFreiberger |firstfirst1=ScottPaul |last2=Dvorak |first2=John C. |date=1982-04-12 |title=ZenithWest workingCoast onComputer 16-bitFaire microsdraws 40,000 people |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YjAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q&f=truePA1 |access-date=2025-03-16 |magazine=InfoWorld |pages=1,4 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, [[cloud-based]] word processor programs emerged, such as [[Google Docs]], enabling people to more easily work remotely and collaboratively. Later on other online word processors such as [[Microsoft Office|Microsoft Office on the web]] and [[Collabora Online]] became available.

== See also ==