The Computer Code

The Computer Code

Computer Code Human beings are able to recognise each other's handwriting and read the information that is written. They can also understand the spoken word. Different computers accept different input methods and different codes, just as humans speak and write in different languages. Since a computer has no brain, it must have the information fed into it in a particular way by a code.
The more commonly-used methods of inputting code to a computer are VDU, punched card, magnetic tape, paper tape and document readers. Cards and paper tape have small holes punched through them in specially arranged patterns, down a column of a card or across the width of paper tape. These holes represent a given character, that is, a letter or a number.
Magnetic tapes and discs can be written from a device similar to a standard typewriter.
Document readers enable computers to 'read' information which is understandable to human beings. Common examples of these are electricity accounts and cheques. The characters on electricity billing documents can also be written by hand and 'read' into the computer. Bank cheques are preprinted with characters written in magnetic ink. Another example of code that can be read by human beings is that used by the VDU.

Reproduced from "How it Works" Ladybird Series