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RFC 20 - ASCII format for Network Interchange

  • Status: Internet Standard
  • Published: October 16, 1969
  • Stream: Legacy
  • Errata: RFC 20 Errata

Document Information​

  • RFC Number: 20
  • Title: ASCII format for Network Interchange
  • Authors: Vint Cerf (UCLA)
  • Date: October 16, 1969
  • Category: Internet Standard

Abstract​

RFC 20 specifies the character code to be used over HOST-HOST primary connections on the ARPANET. It recommends the 7-bit ASCII code embedded in an 8-bit byte whose high-order bit is always zero, and reproduces the USA Standard Code for Information Interchange, USAS X3.4-1968. The document gives the code table, explains how a character is identified by its column and row bits and by the notations ASCII and USASCII, lists the control and graphic characters together with their names, defines each control character in turn, and closes with general considerations on the scope of the standard.

Table of Contents​