What is the Difference Between Binary and ASCII?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Binary and ASCII are two different coding systems used in computing. Here are the main differences between them:
- Nature of the code: Binary code is a system of binary digits (0s and 1s) that represent data or instructions in computers, while ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a set of characters represented by binary numbers, making it possible to transfer text-based information from one computer to another.
- Length of code: Binary code can have different lengths for encoding depending on the number of characters, instructions, or the encoding method, but ASCII uses only 7 digits long binary string and 8 digits long for extended ASCII.
- String representation: Binary code can represent data in variable or constant bit lengths, while ASCII uses constant bit lengths (7 bits for a standard character and 8 bits for an extended character).
- File size: Binary STL files (used in 3D printing) contain the same information as ASCII files but are compressed, making them smaller in size.
- Readability: ASCII files are human-readable, while binary files are not.
In summary, binary code is a more general method of encoding characters or instructions, while ASCII is a specific coding system that uses binary numbers to represent characters. ASCII is used for transferring text-based information between computers, and its codes are constant in length and human-readable.
Comparative Table: Binary vs ASCII
The main differences between Binary and ASCII are as follows:
Feature | Binary | ASCII |
---|---|---|
Definition | Binary code is a system of binary digits (0s and 1s) used to represent data or instructions in computers. | ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a set of characters represented by binary numbers, allowing computers to store and manipulate text in a binary format. |
Encoding | Binary code can have different lengths for encoding depending on the number of characters, instructions, or the encoding method. | ASCII uses only 7-digit-long binary strings for standard ASCII and 8 digits long for extended ASCII. |
Characters | Binary code is not limited to a specific set of characters and can represent any character or instruction using different combinations of 0s and 1s. | ASCII is a standard encoding for alphanumeric characters used in computers and related devices, with a limited set of 128 characters. |
Usage | Binary code is used for various purposes in computing and telecommunications, including representing characters, instructions, and data. | ASCII is primarily used for representing text-based information and is one of the most commonly used coding systems in computing. |
In summary, Binary code is a general method for encoding characters or instructions using binary digits (0s and 1s), while ASCII is a specific encoding scheme that represents a limited set of characters using 7-bit or 8-bit binary strings.
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