# VT320

> ANSI standard computer terminal

**Wikidata**: [Q21041371](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21041371)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT320)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vt320

## Summary
The VT320 is an ANSI standard computer terminal manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), released in 1987 as part of the VT series. It replaced the VT220 and was later succeeded by the VT420, serving as a key input/output device for entering and displaying data in computing systems.

## Key Facts
- **Release Year**: 1987
- **Manufacturer**: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
- **Predecessor**: VT220
- **Successor**: VT420
- **Standard Compliance**: ANSI-standard terminal
- **Classification**: Subclass of computer terminal
- **Image**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/DEC-VT320-0a.jpg
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in English, Spanish, and Dutch

## FAQs
### Q: When was the VT320 released?
A: The VT320 was released in 1987 by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).

### Q: What standard did the VT320 adhere to?
A: The VT320 was an ANSI-standard computer terminal, ensuring compatibility with widely adopted text formatting and control sequences.

### Q: What role did the VT320 play in the VT terminal series?
A: The VT320 replaced the earlier VT220 model and was later succeeded by the VT420, continuing DEC’s line of influential terminal hardware.

## Why It Matters
The VT320 holds significance as a standardized terminal that supported efficient data entry and display in 1980s computing environments. As part of DEC’s VT series, it built on the success of earlier models like the VT220, incorporating ANSI standards to ensure interoperability across systems. Its release in 1987 marked a continuation of advancements in terminal technology, addressing the need for reliable, feature-rich interfaces in both professional and academic settings. The VT320’s adherence to ANSI standards also influenced the development of subsequent terminals and terminal emulators, leaving a lasting impact on computing workflows before the widespread adoption of graphical user interfaces.

## Notable For
- **ANSI Standard Compliance**: Ensured compatibility with standardized text formatting and control sequences.
- **VT Series Evolution**: Bridged the gap between the VT220 and VT420, reflecting incremental improvements in terminal design.
- **DEC Legacy**: Contributed to Digital Equipment Corporation’s reputation for producing robust, industry-standard hardware.

## Body
### Release and Development
The VT320 was introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1987 as a successor to the VT220. It was part of DEC’s popular VT terminal series, designed to meet the demands of evolving computing environments. The terminal was later replaced by the VT420, continuing the lineage of ANSI-compatible devices.

### Technical Specifications
- **Standardization**: Adhered to ANSI standards for terminal control sequences, ensuring broad compatibility with software applications.
- **Functionality**: Supported data entry and display functions, typical of computer terminals used for interacting with mainframes, minicomputers, and early workstations.

### Legacy
The VT320 played a role in maintaining DEC’s presence in the terminal market during the late 1980s. Its ANSI compliance helped standardize terminal interactions, influencing both hardware design and software development. While eventually succeeded by the VT420, the VT320 remains a notable example of the terminal technology that facilitated computing operations before the GUI era.