R. W. Bemer
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Survey of coded character representation
Technical Committee 97 of the International Standards Organization (ISO) is concerned with standards in data processing. The American Standards Association holds the secretariat of this committee. Sectional Committee X3 of A.S.A. is responsible for national data processing standards in the U. S.
Do it by the numbers—digital shorthand
Present communications systems transmit single characters in groups of coded pulses between simple terminal equipments. Since English words form only a sparse set of all possible alphabetic combinations, present methods are inefficient when computer systems are substituted for these terminals. Using numeric representations of entire words or common phrases (rather than character-by-character representations) requires approximately one-third of present transmission time. This saving is reflected in overall costs. Other benefits accrue in code and language translation schemes. Provision is made for transmission of purely numeric and/or binary streams, and for single character-transmission of non-dictionary words such as the names of people of places.
A proposal for character code compatability
The emergence of a single standard from a welter of conflicting precedents depends upon two solutions:
selection or development of an adequate and logical standard,
phasing out (or peaceful coexistence with) the old varieties.
This paper deals with the latter problem and proposes the mechanics for a solution in the area of character codes, as represented by bit combinations.
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