Meet the Terminal

Most of the Cybersecurity tutorials will use the serial monitor to interact with a micro:bit while its project is running.  For example, if the micro:bit picks up any radio messages, it will be able to display them quickly on the serial monitor.  For the cyber:bot, it is also useful for testing sensor circuits before relying on them for navigation.

Why is it called a terminal?

The serial monitor is a kind of terminal. In computing, a terminal is “A combination of a keyboard and output device (such as a video display unit) by which data can be entered into or output from a computer or electronic communications system” according to Merriam-Webster.

Large computers with numerous “terminals” connected to them used to be common in business and academics.  Each terminal had a monitor and keyboard, and sometimes other devices. 

Image source: “DEC VT100” by Gorthmog is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

With the advent of more sophisticated computers and networks, terminal emulator apps like the Windows command prompt became common.  

The “terminal” we use is also considered a computer terminal emulator app, even though it is communicating with a microcontroller.

Hardware terminals are still in use today.  For example, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is a terminal that’s connected to the bank’s system.  At the ATM, a user can access their bank account and interact with a bank to withdraw or deposit money, check account balances, etc.

Image source: “ATM_750x1300.jpg” by Rfc1394 is released into Public Domain