ASCII

ASCII is an encoding system used to convert numerical values into Roman alphabet characters and other symbols. An encoding system is necessary because computers store data in number and not letter form. ASCII is the standard system used in most personal computers today.¹

Fast Facts

1. Originally known as: The American Standard Code for Information Interchange²
2. A 7-bit encoding system²
3. Encodes up to 128 characters, 94 of which can be printed²
4. Phrase "ASCII format" refers to a text-only file, as compared to a file with font formatting, paragraph formatting or images¹
5. Extended ASCII contains additional characters; a few different formats are common²

ASCII Art

Because the earliest computers did not have the ability to render images as they do today, ASCII characters were initially used as a way to produce images on computers. ASCII art can either be still images or moving pictures.³ ASCII art uses ASCII characters to give a stippling effect to show areas of light and shadow. The technique is similar to the Pointillism painting style of Georges Seurat where several little dots comprise an entire image.⁴

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