Card image is an archaic term for a character string, usually 80 characters in length, that was, or could be, contained on a single punched card. IBM cards were 80 characters in length, UNIVAC cards were 90 characters. A punched card typically held multiple data fields, some numeric, some alphabetic. Many data formats, such as the FITS image file format, still use card images as basic building blocks -- even though punched cards are now mostly obsolete.
Famous quotes containing the words card and/or image:
“The Card Catalogue: “See also” leads into the wilderness.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Two dollars now prognosticate
An image supine and elate
For Jenny sweet will keep the date....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)