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Glite Dictionary
💾 Temporary digital space 🗒️ A small notebook
scratchpad

scratchpad

1 5.7
Temporary digital memory used to store data while a program runs
  • noun
  • /ˈskrætʃˌpæd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bloc de notas
  • For instance, the GPU skeletons are specialized to exploit the on-chip scratchpad memory.

Examples

  • For instance, large GPU kernels require many registers and much scratchpad memory per parallel thread.

    Academic text (2018)

  • First and foremost, I'd like to have nice strokes on the Driver "Wacom tablet properties" scratchpad.

    Blog text (8)

  • An audio file was attached to the scratchpad.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • ClipCube is also portable, allowing you to take your clipboard and Scratchpad entries with you.

    Blog text (9)

  • You can jot your ideas in the scratchpad while working on the project.

  • I saved the important data temporarily in the scratchpad before finalizing my report.

  • The software features a scratchpad where you can store quick notes during your session.

How Temporary

cache
  • Specialized
19 6.1
scratchpad
  • Specialized
1 5.7
workspace
19 2.7
file
∞ 1.0
to archive
30 3.9

Surface Forms

scratchpad singular
scratchpads plural

Morphology

scratchpad = scratch + pad (transparent) = scratch + pad

The compound literally denotes a 'pad' used for 'scratch' notes; the digital extension (temporary workspace) is a direct metaphor from the physical object.

Etymology

Scratchpad comes from two simple words: scratch meaning 'to make quick marks' and pad meaning 'a small notebook or place to write'. In computing, a scratchpad is a fast, temporary place where a program keeps data or notes while it works, so it is like a digital notepad for quick work.