Code set structure

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Each code set is divided into the following principal areas:

  • Graphic Left (GL): Columns 0-7
  • Graphic Right (GR): Columns 8-F

The first two columns of each code set are reserved by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for control characters. The terms C0 and C1 are used to denote the control characters for the Graphic Left and Graphic Right areas, respectively.

Note: The IBM® PC code sets use the C1 control area to encode graphic characters.

The remaining six columns are used to encode graphic characters. Graphic characters are considered to be printable characters, while the control characters are used by devices and applications to indicate some special function.