# VT100

> computer terminal

**Wikidata**: [Q614302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q614302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT100)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vt100

## Summary
The VT100 is a computer terminal manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) that was introduced in 1978. It serves as an input/output device featuring a cathode ray tube (CRT) display and a computer keyboard. The terminal succeeded the VT52 and was later replaced by the VT220 in 1983.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 1978
- **Manufacturer:** Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
- **Classification:** Computer terminal (input/output device)
- **CPU:** Intel 8080
- **Connectivity:** Serial port
- **Predecessor:** VT52 (introduced July 1974)
- **Successor:** VT220 (introduced 1983)
- **Components:** Cathode ray tube (CRT) display device and computer keyboard
- **Wikidata ID:** Q328 (implied by reference P143)

## FAQs
### Q: When was the VT100 released?
A: The VT100 was introduced in 1978 by Digital Equipment Corporation.

### Q: What type of processor did the VT100 use?
A: The VT100 utilized an Intel 8080 central processing unit (CPU).

### Q: What terminal did the VT100 replace?
A: The VT100 replaced the VT52, a CRT-based terminal introduced by DEC in 1974.

## Why It Matters
The VT100 serves as a distinct milestone in the timeline of computer hardware development. Introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation in 1978, it represents a specific generation of "smart terminals" that utilized the Intel 8080 microprocessor to manage input and output operations.

Its position in the market bridged the gap between the earlier VT52 (1974) and the subsequent VT220 (1983). As a hardware device, it facilitated human-computer interaction through a dedicated cathode ray tube display and keyboard interface, connecting via a serial port. This specific model line helped standardize the physical architecture of the video display terminal during the late 1970s and early 1980s before it was eventually superseded by the VT220.

## Notable For
- **Microprocessor Integration:** Utilized the Intel 8080 CPU, distinguishing it from earlier logic-based terminals.
- **Display Technology:** Employed a cathode ray tube (CRT) as its primary display device.
- **Lineage:** Serving as the direct successor to the VT52 and the immediate predecessor to the VT220.
- **Connectivity:** Featuring a serial port connection interface.

## Body

### Hardware Specifications
The VT100 is classified as a computer terminal designed to allow users to input data into and view data from a computing system. It was built around an **Intel 8080** microprocessor. The unit comprises two primary physical components: a **computer keyboard** for input and a **display device** utilizing **cathode ray tube (CRT)** technology.

### Product Timeline
The terminal was developed and manufactured by **Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)**.
*   **Inception:** The VT100 was launched in **1978**.
*   **Predecessor:** It followed the **VT52**, a CRT-based terminal that DEC had introduced in July 1974.
*   **Successor:** The VT100 was eventually replaced by the **VT220**, which was introduced in **1983**.

### Connectivity and Identifiers
The device connects to computer systems via a **serial port**. In knowledge base classifications, it is identified by the Freebase ID `/m/0fkpk` and the FOLDOC ID `vt100`.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "VT100",
  "description": "A computer terminal manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation introduced in 1978, featuring an Intel 8080 CPU and a CRT display.",
  "sameAs": [
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013