Difference Between ASCII and EBCDIC
Last Updated :
15 Apr, 2025
ASCII and EBCDIC are the most widely used character coding system. Eight-bit character encoding called Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code is primarily utilized by IBM mainframe and midrange computer operating systems.
What is ASCII?
ASCII is well-known as the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Digital computers utilize an alphanumeric code called ASCII for data transfer. A 7-bit code called ASCII can represent either 27 or 128 distinct characters. The three-bit group that makes up the ASCII code is followed by a four-bit code.
The character encoding used for telegraph data is the foundation of ASCII encoding. It was originally released as a computing standard by the American National Standards Institute in 1963. The uppercase and lowercase letters A through Z, the digits 0 through 9, and the fundamental punctuation symbols are among the characters in ASCII encoding. Additionally, several control characters that were meant to be used with teletype printing terminals are used, even though they don't print.
Advantages of ASCII
Below are some advantages of ASCII
- ASCII is easy to use and suitable across most platforms.
- The character codes for numbers and characters are ideally suited to text manipulation programming techniques and the use of numbers as raw data for calculations.
- To store all alphanumeric characters, ASCII coding uses the English language. With only 256 characters, ASCII coding requires less storage space.
Disadvantages of ASCII
Below are some disadvantages of ASCII
- Ineffective encoding of characters. When encoding numerical and English language data, standard ASCII encoding is effective.
- Different coding systems demand different techniques for conversion.
- All that is used in ASCII code is English. If a document is written in a different coding than ASCII, it cannot read it and will simply display characters in place of the text.
What is EBCDIC?
EBCDIC is well known as the Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. A character is described by an 8-bit code, such as EBCDIC. It may represent up to 256 characters, which can be any combination of letters, special characters, integers, and control characters. the main distinctive of EBCDIC is its capability to support a broad range of languages and character sets.
IBM created EBCDIC in 1963 as an addition to the punched cards that were utilized in the early days of computers for data processing and also for storing. The encoding technique is still in use today, especially on IBM mainframes and midrange computers running the IBM Z or IBM I operating systems even after punched cards were terminated. Despite their incompatibility the encoding techniques used by both EBCDIC and ASCII. the American Standard Code for Information Interchange uses similar encoding methods. ASCII is used more frequently than EBCDIC due to its broad acceptability. Operating systems that support EBCDIC always support Unicode and ASCII.
Advantages of EBCDIC
Below are some advantages of EBCDIC
- With fewer bits needed to represent a character, the code is more efficient.
- More characters, such as accented characters and non-Latin alphabets, can be rendered because of it.
- Unlike ASCII, it includes built-in error-checking capabilities.
Disadvantages of EBCDIC
Below are some disadvantages of EBCDIC
- There is fewer software available that can work with it because it is not as commonly used as ASCII.
- Data alteration between EBCDIC and ASCII is more challenging than it is with ASCII.
- Other computer makers are incapable to use EBCDIC without a license from IBM since it is a proprietary code that the company created.
Difference Between ASCII and EBCDIC
ASCII
| EBCDIC
|
|---|
American Standard Code for Information Interchange is cited as ASCII, Created by ASA.
| EBCDIC or Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code, Created by IBM.
|
ASCII is used in Desktop computers, mobiles and laptops.
| EBCDIC is mostly used in IBM mainframe computers.
|
Distinct code pages for various character sets.
| Control and basic characteristics.
|
ASCII character needs seven bits so ASCII is therefore more effective than EBCDIC.
| EBCDIC needed eight bits so EBCDIC is less effective than ASCII
|
ASCII character goes up to 128.
| EBCDIC goes up to 256.
|
ASCII works with contemporary encodings like Unicode.
| EBCDIC is incompatible with contemporary encodings, such as Unicode.
|
Conclusion
So this is Difference Between ASCII and EBCDIC. ASCII is the American Standard Code for Information Interchange and EBCDIC is also known as Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. The character encoding utilized for telegraph data is the foundation of ASCII encoding.
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