switch
8 ResultsDictionary
switch
(1) A mechanical or electronic device that directs the flow of electrical or optical signals from one side to the other. Switches with more than two ports, such as a LAN switch or PBX, are able...
Dictionary
Definition: switch
(1) A mechanical or electronic device that directs the flow of electrical or optical signals from one side to the other. Switches with more than two ports, such as a LAN switch or PBX, are able to route traffic. See LAN switch, softswitch, PBX, data switch and transistor.
With regard to a simple on/off switch, remember... Open is "off." Closed is "on."
(2) In programming, a bit or byte used to keep track of some event. It sometimes refers to a branch in a program.
(3) A modifier of a command. For example, in the DOS/Windows command "DIR /P," the /p is a switch that modifies the Dir command to pause after each screenful.
Mechanical and Semiconductor Switches
The semiconductor switch (transistor) performs the same function as an on/off light switch on the wall. Instead of being manually closed, the switch is electronically closed by pulsing the semiconductor material, which makes it conduct.
A Manual Switch
This early switch panel from New York Electric Switchboard Company was used to manually open and close electric lines.
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Additional Results
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