non-printing character

plural non-printing characters

1. Synonym of control character.

   Control Character -- Non-printing character used to format input or output on a VDU or printer, such as CR, rubout etc.

   2012, S. Eisenbach, C. Sadler, PASCAL for Programmers, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, →ISBN, page 189

   2 more examples

   It is my proposal that a "non-printing character" be placed in the typewriter keyboard and in the tape code. This non-printing character will be recognised only by the computing machine. When this character is struck on the keyboard, no printing occurs, but the tape is punched with the tape code for the non-printing character (NPC).

   1960, Calvin N. Mooers, “The Use of Non-Printing Characters for Format Indication on Abstracts Transcribed on Machine Media”, in The "Tape Typewriter Plan": A Method for Cooperation in Documentation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, page 19

   When CONTROL is pressed at the same time as another key, a non-printing character is created. In other words, you do not see a letter displayed on the screen.

   1989, Tillman J. Ragan, Patricia L. Smith, Programming Instructional Software, Educational Technology Publications, →ISBN, page 372

   Synonyms: control character