Standard output may be redirected to another terminal to clear its screen. You must have write permission on the other terminal for the command to take effect. The term parameter must be supplied if the terminal is of a different type than the one from which the command is issued.
If a video terminal does not have a clear screen capability, newlines are output to scroll the screen clear. If the standard output is a hardcopy, the paper is advanced to the top of the next page.