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==Etymology==
==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] copie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval [[Latin]] copia, from Latin, [[abundance]]
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] copie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval [[Latin]] copia, from Latin, [[abundance]]
Date: 14th century
*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th century]
==Definitions==
*1 : an imitation, [[transcript]], or reproduction of an [[original]] [[work]] (as a [[letter]], a painting, a table, or a [[dress]])
*1 : an imitation, [[transcript]], or reproduction of an [[original]] [[work]] (as a [[letter]], a painting, a table, or a [[dress]])
*2 : one of a [[series]] of especially [[mechanical]] reproductions of an original impression; also : an [[individual]] example of such a reproduction
*2 : one of a [[series]] of especially [[mechanical]] reproductions of an original impression; also : an [[individual]] example of such a reproduction
:c : [[text]] especially of an advertisement
:c : [[text]] especially of an advertisement
*5 : duplicate 1a <a copy of a computer file> <a copy of a [[gene]]>
*5 : duplicate 1a <a copy of a computer file> <a copy of a [[gene]]>
==Description==
==Description==
'''Copying''' is the duplication of [[information]] or an [[artifact]] based only on an instance of that [[information]] or artifact, and not using the [[process]] that [[originally]] generated it. With analog [[forms]] of [[information]], copying is only possible to a limited [[degree]] of accuracy, which depends on the [[quality]] of the equipment used and the [[skill]] of the operator. There is some [[inevitable]] deterioration and accumulation of "[[noise]]" ([[random]] small [[changes]], not sound) from [[original]] to copy; when [[successive]] [[generations]] of copy are made, this deterioration accumulates with each [[generation]]. With digital forms of information, copying is [[perfect]]. Copy and paste is frequently used for [[information]] a computer user selects and copies to an area he or she wishes.
'''Copying''' is the duplication of [[information]] or an [[artifact]] based only on an instance of that [[information]] or artifact, and not using the [[process]] that [[originally]] generated it. With analog [[forms]] of [[information]], copying is only possible to a limited [[degree]] of accuracy, which depends on the [[quality]] of the equipment used and the [[skill]] of the operator. There is some [[inevitable]] deterioration and accumulation of "[[noise]]" ([[random]] small [[changes]], not sound) from [[original]] to copy; when [[successive]] [[generations]] of copy are made, this deterioration accumulates with each [[generation]]. With digital forms of information, copying is [[perfect]]. Copy and paste is frequently used for [[information]] a computer user selects and copies to an area he or she wishes.