What is "dot matrix"

a. (Of a printer) which prints by stamping an array of tiny dots onto the paper n. A two-dimensional pattern of dots used to represent alphanumeric characters and pictures.

n. a rectangular matrix of dots from which written characters can be formed

A dot matrix is a 2-dimensional patterned array, used to represent characters, symbols and images. Every type of modern technology uses dot matrices for display of information, including cell phones, televisions, and printers. They are also used in textiles with sewing, knitting, and weaving.

An alternate form of information display using lines and curves is known as a vector display, was used with early computing devices such as air traffic control radar displays and pen-based plotters but is no longer used. Electronic vector displays were typically monochrome only, and either don't fill in the interiors of closed vector shapes, or shape-filling is slow, time-consuming, and often non-uniform, as on pen-based plotters.

In printers, the dots are usually the darkened areas of the paper. In displays, the dots may light up, as in an LED, CRT, or plasma display, or darken, as in an LCD.

A dot matrix is a 2-dimensional array of dots used to represent characters, symbols and images.

"Dot matrix" may also refer to:-

• Dot matrix printing (or impact matrix printing), a type of computer printing
• Dot-matrix display, a type of display device
• A display convention for illustrating the alignment of two DNA or protein sequences.
• Dot Matrix, a character from the animated television series ReBoot
• Dot Matrix, a character from the film Spaceballs
• QR code, a matrix of square dots