Using binary codes to represent characters questions and answers
Q1. Describe how letters, numbers and characters on a keyboard are stored by computers.
A1. Every letter, number and character on a keyboard is allocated a unique code in binary. This is made up of 8 bits, which together is known as a byte.
Q2. Explain why no two keyboard symbols have the same 8 bit code.
A2. If they did, the computer wouldn’t know which character it was supposed to be storing or working with. If it sent the code to another computer, that computer wouldn’t know which character it had been sent. Codes therefore have to be unique.
Q3. Why do all computers use the same codes for each of the keyboard characters?
A3. So they can communicate. If they used different codes for the same symbol, they wouldn’t be able to transfer data.
Q4. What is the ASCII code for A?
A4. 65
Q5. What is the ASCII code for a?
A5. 97
Q6. What is the ASCII code for 1?
A6. 49
Q7. What is the ASCII code for 0 (zero) ?
A7. 48
Q8. What is the ASCII code for the space key?
A8. 32
Q9. What is the ASCII code for null?
A9. 0
Q10. What is the ASCII code for Boo?
A10. 66 111 111