What is ASCII Code?

A frequently asked question is, “What is ASCII Code?”

The abbreviation stands for “American Standard Code for Information Interchange”. It is a code used in programming to control and facilitate content communicated between computers.

ASCII code uses a set of numbers to replace sets of text characters, letters, space, tab, decimal and other characters in a line of code, a file, a list, a table or an html web page. ASCII code enables computers, which are limited to the interpretation of binary forms of expression, to process, file and format a greater variety of data.

To start programming in ASCII code it requires extended practice and experimentation with one version or another as the ability to effectively use ASCII code is truly an art.

ASCII is a common code preferred by programmers because extended ASCII characters in popular products such as Windows as well as in html and help files. Most browsers, including Netscape, Internet Explorer, Lynx and Mozilla, recognize ASCII code.

ASCII, a 7-bit code, is one of the oldest versions of coding and one of the easiest to use it originated in America as a solution for making small and capital letters in computer communications. An ASCII code table demonstrates character allocations and iso standards used in code.

In reading a code table, SP stands for “space” and DEL for “delete”. Small and capital letters, digits, punctuation marks, and symbols are among the other characters to be found in an ASCII code table. The code actually specifies a numerical value for every character.

// posted by BasicMichelle on 9/01/2005 08:49:00 AM / Permanent Link