Fonts - Scaled Fonts
Each character is stored as an algorithm which knows how to generate the character at a given size, aspect ratio, etc.
The algorithm may allow for different printers, as well as for differences between print and screen.
The characters may be generated using antialiasing.
Notes:
When discussing fonts on a modern desktop system, fonts are usually scaled. This means that the font is stored as an algorithm which can be used to generate a bitmap of a chosen size. The algorithm can make allowances for the aspect ratio of the display device, whether the device is a screen or printer, and how much weight, or bolding, is required. The algorithm may also be capable of generating an antialised character, to make use of a display which can display a number of gray shades in between the black foreground, and white background.
The bitmap that is generated from this algorithm is then rendered on the display as a character.
The algorithm itself is a specification of a set of curves which describe the shape of the character. How accurately those curves are represented on the display depends on how much resolution is available.