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From: ebg@clsib21.UUCP (Ed Gordon)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: *Why* do modern machines mostly have 8-bit bytes?
Message-ID: <518@clsib21.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Aug-87 12:41:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: clsib21.518
Posted: Wed Aug 19 12:41:07 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Aug-87 01:58:54 EDT
References: <142700010@tiger.UUCP> <2792@phri.UUCP> <8315@utzoo.UUCP> <2303@mmintl.UUCP>
Organization: CLSI Inc., Newtonville, MA
Lines: 10
Summary: 8-bit ASCII does exist


There is such a thing as 8-bit ascii.  Originally, 8 bit ascii consisted
of 7-bit ascii and a parity bit as the msbit, whether even or odd.  ANSI
ASCII x3.64 describes extended ASCII, which are 8-bit ascii command
sequences, better known in the vernacular as "esc" sequences.  Most systems
use escape sequences with 7-bit ascii, rather than using the 8-bit ascii
control character.

			--Ed Gordon,Data Systems Associates
				Clinton, MA