Electronic flashcards (or flash cards) are data types intended to be similar to paper flashcards used as a learning aid in primary schools or for memorization purposes in other environments. The applications of electronic flashcards are essentially the same as those of flashcards, but a number of related software titles have been developed since the 1980s, especially for language-learning purposes. Some of these programs implement spaced repetition algorithms trying to minimize the time invested in memorization.