Garbage

Text garbage1. Information that has no significance and usually does not make sense. For example, garbage can be formed by pressing random keys on your keyboard. If you're opening a file and it appears to be garbage like the example shown to the right it's likely that the file is encrypted or formatted to be open in a specific program. For example, a .DOC file opened in Microsoft Word will look normal. However, opened in a plain-text editor will appear as garbage.

  • Additional information about viewing the contents of a file can be found on document CH000429.

2. Another name for the Microsoft Windows Recycling Bin or the Apple Trash.

Also see: Garbage in, Garbage out, Text