How text is stored (ASCII, Unicode) in Intro to Computing - Flowchart Walkthrough

Process Overview

This flowchart explains how computers store text using codes like ASCII and Unicode. Each character you type is turned into a number, which the computer saves as bits (0s and 1s). ASCII uses 7 bits for basic English letters and symbols, while Unicode uses more bits to include characters from many languages and emojis.

Flowchart

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This flowchart shows the step-by-step process of storing a character as bits in memory. It checks if the character fits in ASCII; if yes, it uses 7-bit ASCII code, otherwise it uses Unicode code points which can represent many more characters.

Step-by-Step Trace - 5 Steps

Step 1: Start and receive character input 'A'

Step 2: Check if 'A' is in ASCII range

Step 3: Convert 'A' to 7-bit ASCII code

Step 4: Store ASCII bits in memory

Step 5: End process

Diagram

Memory Address 1000: 1
Memory Address 1001: 0
Memory Address 1010: 0
Memory Address 1011: 0
Memory Address 1100: 0
Memory Address 1101: 0
Memory Address 1110: 1

(Each memory address holds one bit of the ASCII code for 'A')

This memory diagram shows how the 7 bits of the ASCII code for 'A' are stored in consecutive memory addresses as individual bits.

Flowchart Quiz - 3 Questions

What does ASCII use to represent each character?

A A decimal number only

B A 16-bit binary number

C A 7-bit binary number

D A color code

Key Result

Computers store text by converting each character into a binary code, using ASCII for basic characters and Unicode for a wider range.