Encoding on the Internet

1: Computers Process Numbers

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Numerical Data

All data in computers are ultimately stored as numbers (actually binary numbers). However, operating systems and programs convert these numbers to a forms which can be interpreted by humans. For instance:

• Graphics - colors are assigned numbers
• Audio - frequencies and volume factors are assigned numbers
• Text - characters are assigned numbers

  Software converts numbers to a form understandable by humans

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Text Encoding

The convention which assigns characters (letters, numbers, punctuation, blank space) a number. One of the first encoding schemes was ASCII.

• Keyboard and low-level system software converts the numbers to text
• Fonts match the numbers to the characters displayed on the screen and in print
• Two Computers must have access to the same encoding and font settings in order to exchange files

   

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007 12:17:26 EST