Question

Encode the following sentences in ASCII using one byte per character. a. Is 1 byte \(=8\) bits? b. Yes, a byte contains 8 bits!

Short answer

Convert each character to its ASCII value, using 8 bits per character.

Step-by-step solution

Understand ASCII encoding

ASCII encodes each character using a 7-bit binary number traditionally, but for simplicity here, we'll use 8 bits (1 byte) per character. ASCII can represent 128 characters including control characters, letters, digits, and punctuation.

List ASCII values needed

Determine the ASCII values for each character: - 'I' is 73 - 's' is 115 - ' ' (space) is 32 - '1' is 49 - 'b' is 98 - 'y' is 121 - 't' is 116 - 'e' is 101 - '=' is 61 - '8' is 56 - '?' is 63 - 'Y' is 89 - 'e' is 101 - 's' is 115 - ',' is 44 - 'a' is 97 - '!' is 33.

Encode sentence a

Encode "Is 1 byte = 8 bits?": - I (73), s (115), space (32), 1 (49), space (32), b (98), y (121), t (116), e (101), space (32), = (61), space (32), 8 (56), space (32), b (98), i (105), t (116), s (115), ? (63).

Encode sentence b

Encode "Yes, a byte contains 8 bits!": - Y (89), e (101), s (115), , (44), space (32), a (97), space (32), b (98), y (121), t (116), e (101), space (32), c (99), o (111), n (110), t (116), a (97), i (105), n (110), s (115), space (32), 8 (56), space (32), b (98), i (105), t (116), s (115), ! (33).

Key concepts

Binary Representation

Binary representation is the cornerstone of computing, converting characters and other data into binary code. This is essentially a system of 0s and 1s. Each character we see—like a letter or a number—has its own unique binary code. This code forms part of what's known as the character encoding process.
In ASCII encoding, which stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, characters are traditionally mapped to 7-bit binary numbers. However, in modern usage, an 8-bit binary number, meaning 1 byte, is often used, allowing for easier data handling across various systems.
Binary representation is crucial because computers operate using binary logic. When we talk about binary representation in computing, we mean breaking down information into the simplest, most understandable form for a computer—seen in steps where every character in a text corresponds to a unique sequence of 0s and 1s.
Key points to remember about binary representation in computing include:

• Every piece of data gets translated into binary for a computer to process it correctly.
• ASCII encoding provides specific binary sequences for 128 different characters.
• Binary sequences in ASCII can be 7 or 8 bits, depending on the context.

Character Encoding

Character encoding is the process of translating characters into a computer-friendly format, so a computer knows what we're typing. When you type 'I' on your keyboard, it doesn't inherently understand that. Instead, it recognizes '73' in ASCII, which further translates to a binary number, a language computers can read. This conversion from characters to numbers is fundamental in character encoding.
With ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), each character we commonly use—from letters and numbers to punctuation marks—gets a specific number. This helps computers display texts in ways users can understand. ASCII encoding typically uses 7 bits, but often in practice, 8 bits are used for each character, equivalent to one byte. This way, encoding not only matches the numbering but also simplifies how information travels between systems.
Advantages of character encoding include:

• Consistency in how characters are represented across various platforms and systems.
• Efficiency in data storage and retrieval.
• Universality and interoperability of encoding standards like ASCII.

Byte Usage

Understanding byte usage in computing is essential as it helps make sense of how data is stored and processed. A byte consists of 8 bits, where each bit can either be a 0 or a 1. This makes a byte the smallest addressable unit of memory in many computer architectures.
In ASCII encoding, each character is traditionally represented using just 7 bits, but commonly one more bit is added to form a byte of 8 bits. This simplification aids in standardizing data handling across different computing systems and software.
Here's why byte usage is significant in computing:

• Using bytes simplifies calculations of data size and storage. For example, knowing that a document with 100 characters will likely use 100 bytes makes data management clearer and more predictable.
• Most hardware is configured to process data in byte-sized chunks, so designing systems around byte usage optimizes performance.
• Using fixed-size units like bytes makes data processing more efficient and error-resistant.

Computing Concepts

Computing concepts revolve primarily around understanding and leveraging how computers process, store, and transfer data. One such cornerstone concept is ensuring data is readable and useful by using standardized encoding systems like ASCII. This provides uniformity across technologies and platforms, facilitating ease in data sharing and understanding.
Further, considering the binary foundations, we see how data translates into actions computer systems perform. Computers take binary code and decode it into actions—for instance, displaying an 'A' on the screen. These concepts extend beyond encoding to more complex areas like data encryption and compression, showing the versatility and scope in computing.
Core computing concepts to understand include:

• Binary code as the fundamental language of computers, used universally in computing systems.
• Character encoding allows seamless data exchange and readability across various devices.
• Efficient byte usage is critical to optimizing memory and processing capabilities, as well as data transfer speeds.

In essence, grasping these basic computing concepts empowers students and professionals alike to conceive of more advanced technological skills and innovations.