# punched card 90 colons

> a Czech special punched card

**Wikidata**: [Q42575682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42575682)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/punched-card-90-colons

## Summary
Punched card 90 colons is a specialized Czech paper punched card format featuring 80 data columns and 10 control columns, developed for Czech computing systems. It served as a primary input and output medium for data processing in Czech technological contexts.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Instance of a punched card (paper-based recording medium).
- **Origin**: Specifically developed and utilized within the Czech Republic.
- **Column Structure**: Features a total of 90 columns, comprising 80 data columns and 10 control columns.
- **Sitelinks**: Has 1 known sitelink on Wikimedia projects.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in the Czech language (`cs`).
- **Wikidata ID**: `/g/11gcnglqrl`.
- **Classification**: Falls under the broader class of punched cards.

## FAQs
### Q: What is punched card 90 colons used for?
A: It served as a fundamental input/output medium for data entry, storage, and processing within Czech computing systems, particularly during the era of early mainframe and minicomputer use.

### Q: Where was punched card 90 colons developed and used?
A: It was a Czech special punched card format, developed and used specifically within the Czech Republic's computing infrastructure.

### Q: How does punched card 90 colons differ from standard punched cards?
A: It distinguishes itself by its specific 90-column structure (80 data + 10 control columns), tailored to the requirements and conventions of Czech computing systems, unlike the more widespread 80-column IBM cards.

## Why It Matters
Punched card 90 colons represents a significant piece of Czech technological history, embodying the adaptation of international computing standards (like the punched card) to local requirements. Its unique 90-column structure highlights the development of distinct national computing ecosystems and interfaces. As a tangible artifact of Czech data processing before the widespread adoption of magnetic and electronic storage, it provides insight into the practical methods used for handling information in the Czech context. It serves as an example of localized technological evolution within the broader history of computing hardware and data representation standards.

## Notable For
- **Czech Specificity**: Exclusively developed and used within the Czech computing landscape.
- **Distinct Column Count**: Features a unique 90-column design (80 data + 10 control), differing from the standard 80-column IBM card.
- **Localized Technology**: Represents a national adaptation of the punched card standard for Czech computing systems.

## Body
### Overview
Punched card 90 colons is a specialized punched card format originating from and used within the Czech Republic. It belongs to the class of punched cards, which are paper-based recording and processing mediums characterized by holes punched into specific positions to encode data.

### Technical Specifications
- **Total Columns**: 90 columns.
- **Data Columns**: 80 columns for storing actual data values.
- **Control Columns**: 10 columns for encoding control signals or special characters specific to Czech processing systems.
- **Medium**: Paper card.

### Context & Usage
- **Geographic Scope**: Developed and utilized exclusively within the Czech Republic.
- **Role**: Functioned as the primary physical medium for inputting data into computer systems and outputting processed results in Czech environments during the era of punched card computing. Its design reflects the operational needs and conventions of Czech data processing workflows of that period.