Code points are numeric values that represent characters in a character set. Typing on a computer involves multiple translations, with the code point being just one step. Character sets like ASCII and Unicode have different code points for the same character. The computer converts keyboard inputs into binary and compares it with the code point to generate the character. Code points are stored in small memory spaces, allowing for additional characters to be added. They are commonly used for abstract characters in a character set.
Code point refers to a specific numeric value that indicates a single character in a character set. From an end-user perspective, typing on a computer is pretty straightforward; pressing a labeled key on the keyboard creates a corresponding character on the screen. However, from a computer perspective, typing is much more difficult. Keyboard inputs must be translated multiple times to generate the specific character chosen. The code point of a specific character is just one step along the translation chain, resulting in text visible on the screen within a particular character set.
A character set is like a multilingual dictionary that tells the computer which numbers correspond to which characters. A code point is the number corresponding to a particular character in that character set. Examples of character sets commonly used in computers include the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) and Unicode. Each of these sets has a different set of code points, so while, for example, Code Point 400 in ASCII might refer to the “!” character, may refer to “&” in Unicode.
Once the end user presses a button on the keyboard, the hardware generates a specific set of electronic pulses which the computer acts to convert into binary. Binary is the language of computers, which consists of nothing but the characters “1” and “0”. From this, the computer calculates a specific number, which it then has to compare with the character set’s code point to generate the expected character. Only after all this does the computer produce the selected character on the screen.
Code points are stored in the computer in spaces ranging from one to four bytes. This is a terribly small piece of memory, which means that storing hundreds or thousands of code points isn’t much of a challenge for modern computers. The result is that character set manufacturers often leave large amounts of space open for unspecified code point assignments, allowing programmers to add additional characters to the set as needed without making any major code changes.
Another point worth noting is that code points are most commonly used for abstract or non-standard characters in a character set. To see an example of these abstract characters, open the “Start” menu on your computer, if you’re using a Windows-based machine, and type “Charmap” in the “Start Search” box. Press “Enter” to display a list of abstract characters available for a chosen character set.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
