Bit coding schemes for bytes in data communication: In practical data transmission, which coding scheme is typically used to represent a byte for text and control characters?

Introduction / Context:
When computers exchange text over networks or serial links, they rely on a standard mapping between bit patterns and characters. This mapping ensures that both sender and receiver interpret bytes consistently. The question asks for the most commonly used scheme in data transmission contexts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Byte” refers to an 8-bit unit in modern systems.
• We focus on conventional interchange of text and control codes over communication links.
• We are choosing among standard encodings and unrelated terms.

Concept / Approach:
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is the de facto baseline for representing characters in data transmission, with widely adopted 7-bit definitions extended to 8-bit variants. While EBCDIC is used on legacy IBM mainframes, ASCII dominates Internet protocols and serial communications. SNA is a networking architecture, not a character code; “Hexadecimal” is a numeral system, not a character encoding.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Protocol specifications (SMTP, HTTP header formats, Telnet) historically reference ASCII for control and text semantics, confirming its primacy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing how bytes are displayed (hex dumps) with how they are interpreted as characters (ASCII).

Final Answer:
ASCII