In information handling, the U.S. Federal Standard 1037C defines a hard copy as a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person, of displayed or transmitted data.

What is known as hard copy?

A hard copy (or "hardcopy") is a printed copy of information from a computer. Sometimes referred to as a printout , a hard copy is so-called because it exists as a physical object. The same information, viewed on a computer display or sent as an e-mail attachment, is sometimes referred to as a soft copy .

Is it hard copy or hard copy?

Digital copies which are not printed on paper are sometimes called soft copies. Note on spelling: This compound term is sometimes spelled as one word, hardcopy, and less often, in hyphenated form, hard-copy. Hard copy, spelled with two words, is the most common, however.