4.5.5 Information Coding Systems

Question 1

Define Character Code.

Answer 1

A unique binary representation of a character. Not to be confused with the binary representation of a decimal digit, which is it’s numerical value in the binary system.

Question 2

Define ASCII.

Answer 2

A character set used to represent alphanumeric characters or symbols as a set of 8 bits.

Question 3

Define Unicode.

Answer 3

A character set that is a superset of ASCII. It is used to represent alphanumeric characters or symbols as an integer code point which is equal to the character’s ASCII code.

Question 4

Define Check Digits.

Answer 4

A method of checking codes for errors during data transmission by adding an extra digit to the end (usually calculated/processed from digits in the code itself) that checks whether the data is accurate.

Question 5

Define Check Sums.

Answer 5

A method of checking codes for errors during data transmission by calculating the sum of transmitted digits.

Question 6

Define Majority Voting.

Answer 6

A method of checking binary codes for errors during data transmission by sending each bit multiple times, in a set. The receiver takes the value with the most occurrences in a set as the value for that bit.

Question 7

Define Parity Bits.

Answer 7

A method of checking binary codes for errors during data transmission by counting the number of ones and zeroes present.