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WYSIWYG

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WYSIWYG, pronounced "wiz-ee-wig," is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. It refers to computer software where the content on the screen looks the same as the final, printed, or published output. WYSIWYG editors, like word processors and web page creators, allow users to format text, add images, and manage links directly through a visual interface without needing to write code.

Key aspects of WYSIWYG

Visual editing: Users can directly see and interact with the formatting as they create a document or page. For example, they can click a button to make text bold or a link to resize an image, without having to type special formatting codes.

Replaces coding: This eliminates the need for users to learn complex markup languages like HTML for basic formatting and layout.

Applications: Originally developed for word processing and desktop publishing, the concept is now common in web editors, content management systems like WordPress, and many other programs.

Origin: The term was first used in computing in 1974 by an engineer at Xerox to describe a page layout system, and the first WYSIWYG editor, Bravo, was developed at Xerox PARC.

Benefits: WYSIWYG editors make it easier to create and edit content by simplifying formatting and allowing users to focus on design rather than code.